HARRY POTTER fans have been having a wizard day out on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.

Avid readers of the books were caught up with Potter mania as a lookalike event was staged at Goathland Station, which, in the film, became the station serving Hogwarts School for wizards.

Actors travelled along the North Yorkshire Moors Railway in the blockbuster film and Cropton Forest was transformed into the Forbidden Forest for some of the movie's scariest scenes.

Now Wizard Days Out are to run from February, letting families steam through the real-life film set along the route used by Harry and his school friends.

Corina Inverno, tourism officer for Ryedale District Council, said the film was great news for the area.

She said: "Once again the natural beauty of the area will be promoted to millions of people throughout the world - something that all Ryedale residents can take a pride in."

Wannabe wizards and witches can taste the Hogwarts magic from February half-term.

Updated: 12:08 Friday, November 30, 2001