FICTIONAL wizard Harry Potter was continuing to spin his magic for Bloomsbury Publishing, as its bosses revealed yesterday.

The publisher said the best-selling series by JK Rowling was likely to boost its end-of-year figures. The Booker Prize winning novel The Blind Assassin, by Margaret Atwood has also contributing to a successful year.

The announcement that sales for the 12 months to December 31 would be ''significantly ahead of market expectations'' was welcomed by the London Stock Exchange and the group's shares rose seven per cent. Nigel Newton, chief executive, said He said: ''The success of Margaret Atwood's Blind Assassin is especially significant as it will also drive sales of her previous titles.'