AN actress is basking in new-found fame after appearing in a Harry Potter film.

Jean Southern, from South Shields, South Tyneside, who features in the first Harry Potter film, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, has been sent photographs from fans across the world asking for her autograph.

Ms Southern, who recently appeared at the Customs House, South Shields, in the comedy Dirty Dusting, appears in the film for a few seconds as a trolley lady on the Hogwarts Express.

She said: "I have had letters from America, New Zealand and Australia asking for me to sign pictures of myself that they have photographed from their television screens.

"I have just received a letter from Virginia, in America, containing six photographs of myself, asking if I would sign them.

"The release of the film on DVD has led to people painstakingly stopping the action to photograph me.

"Then they have found out who I am and have written to my agent. It is amazing."

Ms Southern can be seen in a repeat run of Dirty Dusting at the Customs House in August, and at the Theatre Royal, Newcastle, in September.