AS Harry Potter mania swept the world last night East Lancashire enthusiasts joined in the rush to read the fifth book in the series.

Twenty-four hour stores reported brisk business after the JK Rowling block-buster went on sale at midnight.

Chris Hindle, home and leisure supervisor at Asda in Blackburn, reported buyers waiting to make the first purchases on the stroke of midnight and by 8 am this morning about 200 copies had been sold.

"We have another 1,000 in stock and 1,000 on order so we won't be running out," said Chris.

At Asda in Accrington virtually all the pre-ordered copies were collected in the early hours of the morning.

"I am sure people will have stayed up all night reading it," said Debbie Jones on the entertainment section.

Susan Coby, at W H Smiths in Blackburn, said the store had opened early to accommodate Potter fans.

"We have pre-orders for over 900 copies which we expect to be collected today and we have another 1,000 to go on general sale," said Susan.

"We are expecting a very busy day."

Many UK book stores opened at midnight to accommodate demand for 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix'.

Guildford library in Surrey claimed to be the only one issuing copies at midnight with staff in Hogwarts costumes lending 80 copies to youngsters who had won a draw.