WHEN the clock strikes midnight on June 21 Harry Potter fans across the country will be queuing outside their nearest bookstore to buy a copy of the latest novel, but in Torver a trip to the pub will suffice.

A franchise of the Book People business run by Chris Carlsen and his wife, Jennie, in Torver has secured 1,000 copies of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix book from the publishers.

Mr Carlsen is due to pick them up from down south on Friday, June 20 - the day before they are due to be released and will be escorted back to Torver in the afternoon. They will remain under lock and key until the winners of a theme night being held at the Church House Inn in Torver are announced at midnight.

The fun start at 9pm on Friday with a quiz and a fancy dress competition. The winner of the quiz will be announced at 11.30pm and at the turn of midnight they will be presented with one of the first copies of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

The first, second and third prizewinners in the fancy dress competition will receive a copy of the first four Harry Potter books. All proceeds from the event will go to Sandside Lodge Special School in Ulverston.

Mr Carlsen said he would continue to sell copies of the J.K Rowling's book for £13 until he had either run 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 20, 2003 09:00