SO ENGLAND is to become "Harry Potter country" in a bid to lure foreign tourists back to our foot-and-mouth hit landscape via a map of locations used during the filming of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.

Given the young wizard's popularity with children and parents alike, it seems a great idea, except that the map is reported to show a chunk of the Home Counties and South-West with only Edinburgh (the caf where J K Rowling sat to write the book) and Alnwick (film-makers used the castle) anywhere north of the Wash'n'Bath line.

As the Hogwarts Express was seen quite clearly on the North York Moors Railway, in an area now hard-hit by foot-and-mouth, a muggle outcry is necessary to add a third northern location for Potter enthusiasts.

Free advice

ON TUESDAY, it was a case of water, water everywhere - much to the delight of hard-pressed gardeners whose garden butts have been emptied in the shockingly long dry spell.

But while most of us rejoiced at not having to press the watering can into action again, the good men of Darlington Borough Council were hard at it watering the town centre baskets in the torrential rain.

Note to the council: that stuff that falls from the sky is free. I'd make the most of it if I were you.

Reason to believe

THE gentlemen of the Press were shown around Darlington FC's new stadium on Monday, and very impressed our man with the sheepskin coat and Yorkie bar was.

Quakers' ebullient chairman Mr George Reynolds spoke of his plans for the opening ceremony, and spoke of booking a big name act: Status Quo, Rod Stewart, or "that Lionel Richards". Come to think of it, perhaps Rod would like a run at centre-forward?