THE magic of Harry Potter's school of witchcraft and wizardry will be portrayed in miniature by local enthusiasts at a dolls' house exhibition later this month.

Members of Durham and District Dolls' House Club set themselves the theme of fantasy rooms for their third annual exhibition, which can be seen at the Blackhill Community Centre, Consett.

Among the furnished rooms - all in one-twelfth scale - is a version of Albus Dumbledore's study, by founder member Alison Lycett.

Albus is the headmaster at Hogwarts School in JK Rowlings best-selling Harry Potter series.

Scenes portraying Hogwarts School were captured at Durham Cathedral and Alnwick Castle in the film recreations of the book, the second of which will be released in November.

Harry Potter fans will recognise familiar items in Alison's intricate work, using mostly adapted pieces of scrap.

These include Albus's spell books, toads for the spells, his message owl, a dragon's egg and his travelling trunk.

Other exhibits feature a Viking ship, picnic scenes, Victorian dolls' houses, garden sheds, and even a gruesome Jack the Ripper figure.

The club meets on the first Monday of each month at the community centre, in Derwent Street, from 7pm to 9.15pm.

New members are welcome and the first session is free.

The exhibition is held on Saturday, August 24, from 10.30am to 4pm. Admission is 50p for adults and 25p for children.