Copies of new Harry Potter novel found in a field

Copies of the eagerly-awaited new Harry Potter novel were found dumped in a field by a walker, it was reported last night.

Two first editions of JK Rowling’s next instalment in the hugely popular series were discovered in Bungay, Suffolk.

An unnamed 40-year-old father-of-two telephoned The Sun when he discovered the books, which are not due for publication until June 21, the newspaper reported.

The Sun sent a journalist to collect the editions, which are now in the newspaper’s headquarters in Wapping, east London.

It is making arrangements to return the books to Harry Potter publishers Bloomsbury – and did not spoil the plot by revealing any details.

Copies of Rowling’s fifth instalment, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, were found a quarter of a mile from Clays Ltd, a firm which will print hundreds of thousands of copies of the new book.

They were discovered without the covers and revealed the novel has been dedicated to the author’s husband, Dr Neil Murray, and her two children.

The inscription reads: “To Neil, David and Jessica who make my world magical.”

No one was available to comment tonight from Bloomsbury or Clays Ltd.