LANCASHIRE author Catherine Proffty has published a book full of magic -- which has more than just a hint of Harry Potter about it.

Just like Harry is a trainee wizard, the protagonist in Emeldra and the Hairy Bogart* is a trainee "witchlette".

Catherine Proffty -- writing under the name C H Proffty, just like J K Rowling -- lives in Littleborough, near Rochdale. She is a music teacher at a local secondary school.

The main character in her book, Emeldra, is the star pupil at Bruntsworth High -- where spell-making and good magic are the most important lessons of all.

The little witch's homeland, once a happy place to live, is starting to become overshadowed by the evil of the troll king.

Together with her companions, the Hairy Bogart and Seven Legs the spider, she embarks on a perilous journey to put things right.

The softback book is aimed at eight to 12 year olds -- though as with the Potter books, older readers may enjoy the read, too.

* Emeldra and the Hairy Bogart is published by Pentland Press at £9.95, available from all book shops or order by phone on 01388 776555.