A PUB tucked away in a rural area of the Lake District will be one of the first places where Harry Potter fans can get their hands on a copy of the latest eagerly awaited book.

When the clock strikes midnight on June 21, fans will be queuing up outside their nearest bookstore in cities across the country to buy the fifth Harry Potter novel.

But in the South Lakeland and Furness area, people will be able to buy a copy of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix at the Church House Inn, at Torver.

A franchise of the Book People business run by Chris Carlsen and his wife, Jennie, in Torver, has secured 1,000 copies of the tome from the publishers, which will go on sale in the pub at midnight.

During the build up to the sale, Mr Carlsen is running a Harry Potter theme night in the pub from 9pm to raise money for Sandside Lodge Special School, in Ulverston. It will include a fancy dress competition and a quiz, the winner of which will be presented with a copy of the new book at midnight.

Mr Carlsen is due to pick up the 1,000 copies of the book from an outlet in the North West on Friday, June 20 - the day before they are due to be released and will be escorted back to Torver in the afternoon.

"I don't know what kind of escort I will have but the security for this event is phenomenal," said Mr Carslen. " I am not even allowed to stop on the way back up the motorway as I have been told I am not allowed to look at the books and that they have to be kept under lock and key until the sale starts.

"This is a real coup for us. For a small place like Torver to get access to the latest Harry Potter book before many others is absolutely fantastic. We are really excited about it.

"In the bigger towns some bookshops and other outlets will be opening at midnight but as far as I am aware we are the only ones in this area."

Mr Carlsen said he would continue to sell copies of J.K Rowling's book for £13 until he had either ran out or all the customers were happy.

"We are only selling 200 tickets for the theme night and we would advise people to get them instead of just turning up, as we do expect it to be absolutely packed.

"If people don't want to come to the theme night then they can just turn up at midnight to buy a copy of the book," he said.

Tickets for the event cost £1. They are available from Mr Carslen on 015394-414445 or the Church House Inn on 015394-41282.

It costs £1 to enter the quiz but people can fill it in before the night by picking up a copy from the pub.

May 29, 2003 14:30