ALL THINGS magical are set to come to life with the long-awaited release of the film Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.

For anyone who has been living on another planet for the last year or so Harry Potter is a mini wizard with incredible powers and his adventures, created by author JK Rowling, have captivated much of the younger generation.

But why is Harry Potter so popular, do children really believe in magic and if they could possess the same magical powers as Harry how would they use them? GAYLE MCBAIN went along to Lostock County Primary School in Glengarth Drive, Bolton, to talk to a group of children about Harry Potter, magic and the reading frenzy that has taken our children by storm... YOUNG Jamie Nicholson is a self-confessed Harry Potter addict, describing himself as "completely addicted".

Jamie, aged nine, started reading the books at the age of seven, and has not stopped since. He loves the books because they have "lots of twists and turns and are really exciting".

He says: "When I start reading I can't stop. One night I had one more chapter to go and my mum let me read it, and it was midnight before I finished."

He describes the Harry Potter books as "different from other books. Most other children's books start with once upon a time but the Harry Potter books don't".

Jamie would love to have magical powers and would like to turn himself into "a cat or a dog". He explains why by saying: "Because cats and dogs can jump."

He believes in magic, "a bit". He says: "I can do card magic and ring magic."

Peter Ramsden, aged nine, started reading the Harry Potter books after enthusiastic encouragement from fellow pupil Jamie Nicholson.

He says: "Jamie told me they were really good. He said I'd have to start reading them."

Peter enjoys reading about "Harry going on all the adventures with his friend, Ron.

"I like how Ron is jealous but doesn't really show it".

Peter says he would love to go to a magic school "and learn how to get magic powers".

George Fletcher, aged eight, is another Harry Potter fan. He became hooked after hearing about the books from friends in his class.

He says: "I was told they were very good so I decided to try them. If you read just one chapter you want to read all the other books, they are so good.

"The endings are always really good. Sometimes I can guess what is going to happen but other times I can't."

George says: "I don't really believe in magic but I think ages ago it existed. There were spells and things years ago."

If George had magical powers he would "make the World a nice World. I would stop people taking things and killing people. I would make them nice people, not like Lord Voldemort in the books".

Stevie Mannion, aged eight, would like to be just like her heroine, Hermione, if she had the opportunity. She says: "I like the adventures she has."

She enjoys listening to her mum reading the Harry Potter books to her. Stevie says: "She does all these funny voices." The books do not always appeal to Stevie straight away. She explains: "At first you get a bit bored, bored, bored but it gets better and better as it goes along."

Patrick McGhee aged nine, says the books are "funny as well as exciting" and he is always keen to read about Harry at the Hogwarts' school because "it's the best bit".

He adds: "I sort of believe in magic like magic party tricks. If I can see magic and feel it and then I think it's real."

If Patrick had magic powers he would become invisible, in a trick similar to one Harry Potter uses with a magic invisibility cloak. He says: "I would go home and swap the salt and pepper around, but I don't know if my mum would notice."

Simon Cooper, aged 10, enjoys the books because "there is a secret passage to a different world" and he would love to go through a secret passage.

He says he believes in magic when he does not know how the trick is done. "If I know how it's done I don't believe in it. If I don't know how it's done it confuses me".

If Simon had magic powers he would like to change into an animal. "I could change into a fish in the swimming pool and swim under water and that would be good because I can't hold my breath really well."

Karis Quaye , aged 10, has read books by Enid Blyton or Roald Dahl but prefers the Harry Potter books "because they are different".

She says: "I enjoy reading about the adventures, but they can be a bit scary as well."

If she could Karis would love to "turn invisible and sneak around in the staff room".

Alistair Harrison, aged 10, says that although he does not think magic is "real" he says he likes it "when people write about magic". He likes the fact that Harry Potter can "use magic when he wants to instead of being told to do it" but does not believe that magic exists. "I know how they do it."

Alistair would love to have magical powers and would make himself very small. "I could hide when someone chases me."

Jenny Ault, aged 10, says the books are "funny and scary at the same time". Jenny says she would love to go on adventures but is not as brave as Harry Potter. She says: "I'm not a very brave person."

If she had magic powers Jenny would use them to become invisible.