MUGGLES waited until the witching hour to be one of the first to get their hands on the new Harry Potter book.

Hundreds of fans snaked around the Waterstones Worcester store at the midnight launch of the scripts for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child parts I and II.

They came dressed as their favourites characters from their favourite books and movies and took part in themed games at the bookstore in The Shambles.

And first in line for her copy of the scripts was Emma Smith who won a competition ran in the Worcester News.

Emily Sparey, bookseller and events co-ordinator, said: "The event went really well.

"It seemed like we had the whole of Worcester in the store for the release.

"Everyone had great fun, and it was fab to see so many people dressed up as their favourite wizarding characters and taking part in all of our Harry Potter activities. "We had lots of wizard sweets and treats for those attending the launch and they were really popular.

"At midnight we had a countdown and then people could start to receive their copies of Cursed Child, first in the queue being the winner of the competition we advertised in the paper, Emma Smith.

"As well as the customers, we as staff dressed up in our Hogwarts robes as well.

"A brilliant launch for the Cursed Child for all the fans waiting so patiently for the next instalment of the Harry Potter story."