Hundreds of Harry's followers crowded into the city centre last night for an evening of fun and tricks provided by Waterstone's very own magician, but the question on everyone's lips was what happens to Harry.

The ET can exclusively reveal that JK Rowling doesn't disappoint with The Deathly Hallows. She ties up all the loose ends and wraps the series up in fine style.

"I didn't sleep all night," said Anna Elmore, manager of Waterstone's on Bridge Street, speaking before the midnight opening. "It's been a very hectic day, and we've got around 2,000 copies of the book in store, and back-up copies in our Queensgate store if we sell out, which I'm hoping we won't.

"I've been banned from looking at the book before midnight, but I think it will end happily. I'm sure Harry will be able to come back, he'll get together with Ginny and Ron and Hermione will get together as well."

14-year-old Jake Toulouse-Lisle, from Essendyke, Bretton, won a competition with Hereward FM to be the first person to get their hands on the last in the Potter series.

He said: "I had to answer as many questions in a minute as I could, and I managed nine - things such as what Hagrid's brother called. I like the Harry Potter books because everyone can enjoy them and they're well planned and well written."

"I'm a fan as well," added his mum Alison. "In fact we loved the books so much we called our dog Quidditch!"

The queue started to build at around 5pm, and as the evening went on it stretched right down to Woolworths, with fans travelling from far afield to get their hands on their very own Deathly Hallows.

Georgina Suffell (10) came all the way from Sleaford, Lincolnshire, dressed in a Hogwarts cape and a golden time turner she won in a quiz which had been doanted by Warwick Davies - better known as Professor Flitwick in the films.

Zac (7) and Zabrina (9) Rashid travelled from Dogsthorpe to buy the book with their mum Hazel. "My mum is a big Harry Potter fan," said Zac. "Bigger than big, like us!"


Recommended retail price: £17.99

Asda: £5, maximum of two per customer.

Morrisons: £4.99, maximum of one copy per customer.

Tesco: £5 to shoppers who spend at least £50. Otherwise £10.

Wilkinson's: online for £7.99.

Amazon: £8.99.

Waterstone's £8.99.

The Works: £8.99.

WH Smith: £9.97 online.

Woolworths £8.99.