Young bookworms from across the Bradford district are bombarding libraries with demands for the tales of Harry Potter.

Eager young readers are snapping up the stories from library shelves almost as quickly as librarians put them on.

A spokeswoman from Bradford Central Library said they had 15 copies of the latest book - The Goblet of Fire - but also had waiting lists of up to 40 children.

"Harry Potter is the best thing to have happened to children's books. It has raised the profile of reading which can only be a good thing," she said.

At Cleckheaton Library, staff pre-empted the huge craze and ordered a dozen extra hardback editions of the new book, but there are still nine children on the waiting list to borrow it. Adults have also been borrowing the books.

Calderdale's principal children's librarian Helen Cerroti said the council had to order more books about the would-be wizard to keep up with demand.

"The council had about 25 Harry Potter books in its libraries across Calderdale. But when I checked recently, we only had two on the shelves - the rest had been lent out. We've just ordered nearly 100 more copies to keep pace with the Potter phenomenon. Children are clamouring for these books."

Calderdale Council may soon know the true scale of Pottermania as it plans to survey more than 1,500 children on their reading habits and how they use libraries. "This isn't just about finding out how popular Harry Potter is," said Helen.

"We want to find out what sort of books children are reading and how they use their libraries. Whether they prefer to get their information from computers, books or magazines, and how we can improve the service to them."

Children up to the age of 15 will be able to have their say in the survey, which the council will be running in the week starting November 20 at 15 libraries across the borough.

"We hope as many young people as possible will let us know what they think."

In July, the Telegraph & Argus told how young Potter fans were left down in the mouth after a visit to the city by best-selling author J K Rowling.

They queued up on the platform at Bradford Interchange with copies of books that they wanted the writer to sign - but she refused to get off her publicity train, the Hogwarts Express, which takes Harry on his magical adventures.