MILLIONS of people around the world have celebrated the 20th anniversary of the first Harry Potter book, penned by famous author JK Rowling, who once lived near Chepstow.

Between the ages of nine and 18, she called Church Cottage in Tutshill her home - just over the border in Gloucestershire.

Her upbringing informed her work, with her former teacher at Wyedean School, the late John Nettleship, serving as the inspiration for the character of Professor Snape.

The magical sport of Quidditch, meanwhile, which features in the books, also features a team called the Tutshill Tornadoes, and the nearby Forest of Dean served as the backdrop to scenes in the seventh book, The Deathly Hallows.

The seven-book magical saga has sold countless copies and have been turned into eight successful films.

And the tales of a wizarding world and the magical school of Hogwarts continues to capture the imaginations of fans young and old.

To mark the occasion, Chepstow Bookshop held a commemorative‘20 Years of Harry Potter Magic’ event at St Pierre Hotel and Country Club on the weekend.

More than 250 people turned out on Sunday, with visitors getting the chance to be sorted into one of four houses at Hogwarts at the ‘20 Years of Harry Potter Magic’ anniversary event held at St Pierre Hotel and Country Club.

The children’s character Fleurble Laffalot was enlisted to provide visitors fun facts on all aspects of wizarding life.

Potion classes were also offered in dingy dungeon-like surroundings similar to those found in the pages and films.

Matt Taylor, the manager of Chepstow Bookshop, previously told the Argus as a child Rowling used to walk from her home in Tutshill to the store to buy her favourite sweets.

Speaking about the success of the weekend’s event, he said: “The event went really well, we had around 250 there over the course of the day with a real mix of ages.

“This was quite a big deal for us what with it being the 20th anniversary and with there being a local link.”