HARRY Potter fans are celebrating news that a marathon reading session has raised almost £5,000 for breast cancer relief.

More than 200 adults and children gathered at the Bowling Green pub in Otley to hear people read the four J K Rowling books one after the other.

Organiser Sue Robins originally dreamed of raising £4000 for the cancer charity after having a mastectomy 14 years ago.

The marathon session lasted 49 hours through day and night at the pub, and children from All Saints Junior School, St Josephs, The Whartons, Prince Henry's Grammar School. Bramhope Primary School and Ashfield Juniors.

Otley Mayor Phil Coyne, town crier Paddy Steval and members of the Community Players all read from the four books The Philos-ophers Stone, Cham-ber of Secrets, Prisoner of Azkaban and Goblet of Fire.

The youngest reader was six-year-old and the oldest was 79 at the event, which was featured on Yorkshire television's Calendar, BBC Radio Leeds, television's GMTV, and children's television's Newsround.

The total amount raised to date is £4,888 but Mrs Robins, from East View Terrace, Otley, is confident they will break the £5,000 barrier.

"It's absolutely fantastic that we have raised so much, and I am aware of more donations to come in - I'm amazed at the generosity!

"It was a wonderful thing to do and we are still hoping that it will get in the Guinness Book of Records for being the first event of its kind."

Donations can still be arranged by calling Sue Robins on (01943) 465305 or Barclays Bank, Otley, with account number 00857076.