IT WAS a magical morning for two school children, as an East Dorset town was recognised as an honorary Quidditch town.

To mark the release of the new book, Quidditch Through the Ages, written by J.K Rowling and illustrated by Emily Gravett, Wimborne has been honoured with ten other UK towns.

Bloomsbury Publishing presented Mayor of Wimborne, Cllr Shane Bartlett, with a decorative banner featuring gold Quidditch hoops celebrating the town’s fictitious Quidditch team, The Wimbourne Wasps, who feature in the wizarding world’s Quidditch league and the banner also bears the town’s Quidditch team crest.

Cllr Shane Bartlett was pictured next to the banner in an outdoor, socially distanced presentation with two young Harry Potter fans, Hannah Churchill and Emily Cross, at The Minster Church of St Cuthburga.

A spokesperson from Bloomsbury Publishing said: “We’re really proud to recognise Wimborne as an Honorary Quidditch Town alongside ten other towns and villages across the United Kingdom and Ireland.

“Quidditch captured the imaginations of children and adults across the world, and the new book Quidditch Through the Ages, beautifully illustrated by Emily Gravett, is a magical companion for those who want to immerse themselves in the wizarding world of Harry Potter.

“Harry Potter fans can now unearth the real-life towns and villages inspiring the names of Quidditch teams and we ask anyone planning a visit to Wimborne to first check national and local travel guidance on coronavirus to ensure their visit is made safely.

“For communities that are currently experiencing stricter measures, we encourage people to support their favourite Quidditch team virtually by visiting the official Harry Potter fan club, Wizarding World.”

Cllr Shane Bartlett said: “We are delighted to be recognised as an Honorary Quidditch Town. Harry Potter’s favourite sport Quidditch brings joy to children and adults across the world, and this decorative banner, emblazoned with the town’s team colours, shows our support for our beloved Quidditch team."

Emily Cross, an eleven-year-old pupil at Parkstone Grammar School said: “I'm obsessed with Harry Potter and dream of playing Quidditch, so I’m really happy to find out that I now live in an Honorary Quidditch Town. I loved visiting the sign and it’s great that Wimborne has been honoured in this way.”

The other towns honoured were Appleby, Ballycastle, Caerphilly, Falmouth, Holyhead, Kenmare, Montrose, Portree, Tutshill and Wigtown.