HUNDREDS of Harry Potter fans in Dorset are expected to queue into the night this weekend, when the final book about their wizard hero goes on sale.

Bookshops and stores across the county are expecting big queues to buy Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the seventh and final instalment about the young wizard, which officially goes on sale at 00:01am on Saturday morning.

Nearly 1,000 advance copies have been ordered at WH Smith, Weymouth, which is expecting more than 200 people to collect their copies at the midnight witching hour.

Assistant manager Josh Strickland said: "We are expecting a big queue to collect advance copies.

"This is the final Harry Potter book and the hype around it is tremendous.

"Everyone wants to know what happens to characters and who dies."

Colleagues at WH Smith, Dorchester, have had another 300 advance orders. Manager Duncan Hibberd said: "We are expecting quite a few people here at midnight when the first books go on sale.

"We are ready, we have a large supply of books to meet demand and we will also be open early on Saturday at 7am."

Staff at Asda in Weymouth will be dressing up in costumes based on the Harry Potter books especially for the launch.

Events co-ordinator Carole Topley said: "There will also be a colouring competition to win a Harry Potter book, as well as a fancy dress competition for Harry Potter fans.

"There is a huge amount of interest for the book. It is the last one and everyone is dying to know what happens."

Waterstones bookshop in South Street, Dorchester, will be open from 10.30pm on Friday and manager Phoebe Williams said they would be staying open until queues for the book had gone.

She added: "Our staff will be in fancy dress and there will be a fancy dress competition for customers."

Tesco's store in Dorchester is also bracing itself for a rush of customers keen to snap up the magical finale.