Rare Harry Potter collection to be auctioned

A rare set of Harry Potter books kept under lock and key in a police station are expected to sell for at least £20,000 when they go under the hammer next week.

The seven books, all signed by author JK Rowling, are believed to be one of only a few such sets in the world.

They are to be auctioned on eBay in aid of Aberdeenshire charity Books Abroad.

JK Rowling's mother-in-law, Barbara Murray, works for the charity, which supplies books to schools across the world.

The author agreed to donate the set as part of the organisation's 25th anniversary celebrations.

The books are so valuable they are being stored in the police station in the town of Huntly.

Officers agreed to look after the set when a bank refused to store them.

Harry Potter enthusiasts will be able to place their bids when the books are put on eBay at midnight next Monday.

The successful bidder will be announced the following Saturday at the charity's anniversary ball.

Claire Newman, development officer with Books Abroad, said they were hoping to get at least £20,000 for the books.

"We have been advised that they could go for that, or possibly even more," she added.

"It would be a pretty special investment and it has already generated quite a lot of interest."

PC Neil McAdam of Grampian Police, who is based at Huntly police station, said: "It was an unusual request, but we were happy to help out."

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