Thousands audition for Potter role

Thousands of teenage girls braved chilly weather today in the hope of securing a role in the next Harry Potter film.

The teenagers, aged between 13 and 16, waited patiently for auditions to open for the part of trainee wizard Luna Lovegood in Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix.

In the book, Luna is described as being a rather unusual character who is considered a bit of an outsider by her classmates.

With her wand tucked behind her ear for safekeeping and a necklace of butterbeer corks, the 14-year-old wizard often appears to be detached from what is going on around her.

The succesful girl will join cast members Daniel Radcliffe, who plays Harry; Emma Watson, who plays Hermione Granger; and Rupert Grint, who plays Ron Weasley in the film.

First in the queue outside Westminster Central Hall at Storey’s Gate, London, was Kim Allen, 15, from Andover in Hampshire.

The 5ft 6in teenager said she started queuing at 11pm last night.

She added: “There are three of us and we slept outside although we didn’t sleep very well. Other people started arriving at about 12.30am.

“I’ve done drama lessons but that’s about it but I have loved acting ever since I was younger and I’m mad about Harry Potter.

“If I got this, it would be a step for me towards being in more films and I desperately want the part. I check the Harry Potter website every day and saw the auditions advertised on there.”

The teenager, who attends Henry Beaufort School in Winchester, continued: “I love the magic and the mystery and Daniel Radcliffe. I love the whole fantasy of it and wish somewhere like that existed.”

Two other friends in the queue were Annie Beatson, 15, who attends John Hanson School in Andover, and Tazia Williams, 14, from Winton School in Andover.

Annie said: “As far as we know they are just going to be looking at us and seeing if any of us have got the weird characteristics they want. We were told we couldn’t wear make-up which is a nightmare.”

A spokeswoman for Harry Potter Productions said casting director Fiona Weir was not looking for any particular physical attribute but wanted to find someone with an “other-worldly quality”.

“Luna views the world very differently. She has an unusual quality but it is impossible to say what it is.”

All the hopefuls had brought a passport or birth certificate and proof of address, and have been told they must live in the UK or Ireland.

Production is due to start in England next month and the film is due for release in summer 2007.

The casting crew have aready seen hundreds of girls at schools around the UK.