MUGGLES of all ages turned out in force for the midnight release of Harry Potter & the Cursed Child Parts I & II in Farnham last weekend.

Waterstones in Lion and Lamb Yard hosted a party with a countdown to celebrate the first new Harry Potter story since 2007, and dedicated enthusiasts waited patiently in line for up to three hours before the doors were even opened at 10.30pm.

By the time the wraps came off at midnight, there was a festive crowd in store, with many in elaborate fancy dress.

Nell Pierce, dressed as Harry’s owl Hedwig, won the children’s fancy dress competition while James Holloway, as Hagrid the giant, won the adult contest.

They both received Harry Potter cupcakes for their efforts and were joined by a small army of young wizards, an entire family dressed for the occasion as well as a young girl who baked a cake especially for Harry’s birthday.

A carefully planned pre-order ticketing system ensured that when the witching hour finally arrived, the orderly queue was able to race out of the door and into the night, happily clasping their long-awaited books.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a brand new stage play, currently enjoying a sold-out run in London’s West End.

It picks up the story 19 years after the events of Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows, with a grown-up Harry working for the Ministry of Magic, but worried about his youngest son Albus, who is just about to start his education at Hogwarts.