MAGIC was in the air in Darlington yesterday when shoppers got a surprise visit from Harry Potter characters.

Dressed in colourful costume, half-giant Hagrid and Professor Albus Dumbledore flew in from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to meet families at the Queen Street shopping arcade.

Cameras began snapping as children and grown-ups had their pictures taken with the characters from the best-selling books by J K Rowling.

Rory Fleming, shopping centre manager, said: "We are just trying to bring a little bit of magic to Queen Street this year, making Advent time and Christmas shopping extra special for families."