A SCHOOL is conjuring up a special Harry Potter weekend to show children just how magic boarding can be.

St Mary's Hall, the preparatory school for Stonyhurst College, is holding a Harry Potter-style boarding weekend for youngsters aged seven to 13 who want to experience life at boarding school.

And St Mary's Hall pupils are planning a host of activities to ensure their guests have a spellbinding time at the historic school -- and ease any fears they may have about living away from home.

Although Quidditch, Harry Potter's favourite game, isn't on the agenda, there are plans for a Hogwort's-style banquet and pupils will magic up further Harry Potter-style activities for the event, next month.

Headmaster Michael Higgins said: "The Harry Potter books and film have done much to heighten the benefits and enjoyment of boarding.

"Pupil rolls at boarding schools across the UK, including Stonyhurst, have increased as a result.

"Although our parents understandably have reservations about some of the antics portrayed in Harry Potter, the film itself has encouraged children to think positively about boarding."

St Mary's Hall pupil Joseph Garlington, aged 10, from Hurst Green, whose parents look after the school's boarders, has been helping plan the weekend.

He said: "I've been boarding at St Mary's Hall for two years and am really looking forward to the new children joining us for the weekend. We have many really exciting things planned, but there will be no spell-casting!"

Pupil Marika Langford, 12, from Macclesfield, said: "Boarding at St Mary's Hall is fun. I see my parents often enough and think of boarding as gaining another family." Paul and Maribel Garlington, house parents at St Mary's Hall, said: "Many of the ideas for the weekend have come from the children themselves.

"We intend to make full use of our extensive grounds and the highlight of the weekend looks set to be the Harry Potter banquet."

Co-educational St Mary's Hall is a co-educational boarding and day school in Stonyhurst, near Clitheroe. Its boarding accommodation won the Ribble Valley Borough Council Civic and Design Conservation Award for 2001.

Stonyhurst College marketing and admissions director Jonathan Hewat said it was the 10th year that a free boarding weekend had been held and around 20 first year youngsters usually attend.

He said: "The Harry Potter phenomenon has certainly heightened interest in boarding schools and our weekend boarders can look forward to using our swimming pool and all-weather pitch, which was used for training purposes during the Commonwealth Games, although not for Quidditch!"

Anyone interested in taking up a free place at the boarding weekend should phone St Mary's Hall on 01254 826242.