Borders in Deepdale retail park found itself mobbed by Muggles in wizard costumes and Gryffindor scarves, who began lining up inside the store from 9pm last night.

A magician performing card tricks and Harry-themed games and quizzes kept the crowds entertained and by midnight, the queue of about 300 people snaked round the perimeter of the entire store.

The crowds joined in an enthusiastic countdown to midnight, when staff dressed as witches and wizards removed the packaging and handed out copies.

Fulwood friends, Hayley Morris and Emma Burscough, both 10, were first in line at 9pm.

Hayley said: "I like Harry because I think he's really handsome and the books are exciting because they make you think 'what's going to happen next?' It was really enjoyable here because the magician entertained us."

Borders' children's specialist Nic Meek said: "It has totally exceeded anything we thought it would and the atmosphere was just amazing. I've never seen anything like it in my life."

Over at the retail park's branch of W.H. Smith, around 100 eager fans lined up outside the door from 8pm.Staff dressed as witches dished out sweets to keep spirits up during showery weather.

The book, the seventh and final in the series, has become one of the most hotly-anticipated novels in history, with millions of readers clamouring to know how Harry will fare in his final battle against evil wizard, Voldemort.