A DARLINGTON schoolgirl has become the first to borrow a copy of the new Harry Potter book from the town library.

Momotaz Wood, ten, put her name on the waiting list for the book in January.

Yesterday she rushed from her lessons at Corporation Road Community Primary School to get the first copy of the book from the town's main library in Crown Street.

The library has bought 12 copies of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, the fifth in the series by author JK Rowling. The waiting list of borrowers is already up to 50 people.

Acting lending librarian Margaret Wood said: "This young lady was the first person to have her name down for the book, so she is our first official borrower of this particular Harry Potter novel.

"We have bought 12 copies, but we have already got a waiting list of 50. She is very popular is JK Rowling."

Momotaz said she has been waiting patiently to receive the new book since she put her name on the list.

She said: "This is too exciting because I really wanted to read it. I'll read it all in one go and I think it will take me about three hours altogether."