WHILE cinemas around the globe are bewitching children with the magic of Harry Potter, a different kind of spell is being cast in Clitheroe.

Television bosses have announced that part of the next of series of The Worst Witch - one of the most popular programmes on children's TV - is to be shot at historic Clitheroe Castle.

Granada Television is to film the series - which, like Harry Potter, originated from a collection of children's books - at the Norman keep from June 14-17 ready to be broadcast in the autumn. Unlike Harry Potter, who is the hero of the hour in the blockbuster films, The Worst Witch follows the capers of hapless witch Mildred Hubble as she struggle to get to grips with magic.

During filming, the Castle Museum will be closed and there will be restricted access to the castle grounds.

Granada Television location manager Rebecca Rawcliffe described Clitheroe Castle as the best castle in the North West.

She said: "I had been scouting for castles throughout the North West for about four weeks and was actually on my way to look at Stonyhurst College."

Ribble Valley Council leisure and tourism manager Chris Hughes said: "We apologise for any inconvenience caused to the general public by the filming, although I believe there will be spectator areas for people to watch."

Clitheroe Castle was built around 1186 by Robert de Lacy to protect the administrative centre of his vast estates. It is said to have been the smallest keep in England, with rooms as small as 20 feet square.