Children get chance to attend Harry Potter launch

Harry Potter author JK Rowling has offered children from Ireland and all over the world the chance to attend the launch of her new book.

The sixth instalment in the series about the boy wizard will be unveiled at the stroke of midnight in Edinburgh Castle.

At one minute past the witching hour on July 16, Rowling will begin reading a section from the eagerly-anticipated Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

Seventy children from the UK, Ireland, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa are being offered the chance through competitions to join the weekend of celebrations.