A MULTITUDE of Muggles gathered in Basingstoke to be among the first readers in the world to get their hands on the latest JK Rowling release - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

At the magical stroke of midnight on Friday, the much-anticipated sixth instalment of the young wizard's adventures went on sale to the hundreds of spellbound fans who swapped bedtime for broomsticks and queued late into the night.

Queues started forming around the town as early as 7pm, with some Potter enthusiasts bringing deckchairs and supplies to make their wait more bearable.

Lucky Gazette competition winner Elsa Dobell, 12, unveiled the book as the clock chimed and Waterstone's opened its doors to the crowd gathered outside.

Elsa, who was also celebrating her 12th birthday on Friday, said: "I really like the books and I'm looking forward to reading the new one.

"I don't have a favourite character out of Harry, Ron and Hermione. I like them all the same."

Waterstone's manager Arran Meachim donned a cape and pointy hat for the launch.

He said: "This one is much bigger than the release of the last book. When we were putting it out on the stands, we were very good and managed to resist having a sneaky peek, but I think everyone was tempted."

WHSmith opened its doors at 11.30pm for a story-telling session, where Potter fans had the chance to catch up on the events from The Order of the Phoenix, the fifth book in the series.

The Dacey family, of Gower Crescent, South View, and their next-door neighbour, Lee Williams, 16, endured a four-hour wait outside WHSmith, but were still convinced Harry has a few tricks left up his sleeve.

Helen Dacey, 34, said: "We came down at midnight for the last one, so we had to do it again. The excitement has just built up and up over the last few weeks.

"We can't wait to find out what happens and who the character is that dies this time."

The queue outside Ottakar's - known as Pottakar's for the night - stretched past Marks and Spencer and pyjama-wearing staff kept the crowd's spirits up by handing out free hot chocolate.

Gail Cleaver, Ottakar's manager, said: "We've had a magical evening and it's only going to get better."

If you read Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in the next few days, let us know what you think.

Write to The Letters Editor, Gazette Newspapers, Gazette House, Pelton Road, Basingstoke, RG21 6YD or e-mail editor@basingstokegazette.co.uk

First published: Monday, July 18, 2005