Sussex is going Harry Potty as the latest instalment in JK Rowling's schoolboy wizard phenomenon hits bookshops tomorrow.

Stores across the county are planning special events to mark the long-awaited release of the fifth book in the record-breaking series.

But while most youngsters will have to join the throng at the shops tomorrow, one lucky girl will get to see the book early - and may even get to meet Ms Rowling.

Sarah Francis, 13, of Crawley Down, is taking part in an evening of magic worthy of Harry's legendary Hogwarts school tonight.

She won her chance to be a wizard for the night in a bookshop competition and will stay at Alnwick Castle in Northumberland, which was transformed into Hogwarts for the Harry Potter films.

She will join a group of 30 youngsters from across Britain who won invitations to the Harry Potter Wizard Quest final at the medieval castle.

The youngsters will feast on Potter treats such as Malfoy's barbecue sausages, Headless Nick's cheesy chips and Moaning Myrtel's jittering jelly - all washed down with Polyjuice potion.

At midnight tonight they will get a copy of the latest book, Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix, ahead of its release tomorrow.

Their knowledge of the books will be put to the test in a 30-minute exam, with the four top fans selected to meet Ms Rowling at the Albert Hall on Thursday.

Sarah was picked for the final after getting top marks in a Harry Potter quiz at Ottakar's bookshop in Crawley.

Part of the quiz was deciding what question she would ask Ms Rowling if she had the chance. Sarah said she would ask the author who she would take with her on a magic carpet ride, including any character from her books.

The teenager is now hoping to ask the question to her hero in person.

She said: "I'm looking forward to the banquet at the castle but most of all I'm excited about getting the new book.

"JK Rowling is one of my idols. She has written some brilliant books, which are unique.

"I hope I get to meet her but if I don't I think it will still be a great weekend."

Sarah said her favourite book in the series was the second, The Chamber Of Secrets.

Her mother, Diane, who will go with her daughter to Northumberland, said: "Sarah is swotting up on her Harry Potter knowledge at the moment - she seems to have her head permanently stuck in one of the books.

"She is a great reader and has read all the books several times.

"She is very excited about the weekend and is the envy of her friends."

Katrina Ray, of Ottakar's in Crawley, said the shop had already had 400 pre-orders for copies of the latest book.

Eager fans can even try to emulate Sarah by getting a copy from the store at midnight.

The shop will reopen at 8am and entertain youngsters with spiders and snakes, face painting, and a fancy dress competition.

Other shops running special events include City Books in Western Road, Hove, which is laying on a special breakfast.

The store will open its doors at 7am for fans who cannot wait to read the latest adventure.

Bookstack in the Eastbourne Arndale Centre is holding a Potter-style disco party. The fun starts at 11.15pm tonight with a raffle winner getting the book on the stroke of midnight.

Asda, in Hollingbury, Brighton, is hoping to find a Harry Potter look-alike among its shoppers tomorrow. It wants customers to dress up as the famous wizard as part of a morning of magic and mystery. Judging will take place at 11.30am.

Other shops opening at midnight tonight include WH Smith in Burgess Hill, Steyning Bookshop in Steyning, Methvens Booksellers in South Street, Worthing, and Waterstones in North Street, Brighton.

In London, WHSmith is recreating the gateway to Platform 9 3/4, made famous in the books, outside its store at King's Cross station and is staging a Harry Potter interactive experience.

The content of the new Harry Potter book has been masked in secrecy, helping to feed the frenzy surrounding its release.

However, publisher Bloomsbury has not managed to keep all of what unfolds in the latest installment under wraps.

Ms Rowling has launched legal action against a US newspaper after it allegedly published a sneak preview of the new book on the internet and police in Merseyside are hunting thieves who stole a lorry packed with copies of the new blockbuster.