Luton's Beech Hill Primary in Guinness bid

Across the country, 75 schools were simultaneously involved in reading the first chaper of J K Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, hoping to beat the current record which stands at 3,509.

Beech Hill students were dressed as if they were in a classroom at Hogwarts with readers wearing hats and cloaks, Gryffindor-style.

Headteacher Mrs Debbie Bosher introduced the lesson and readings from the first chapter were given by Luton mayor Cllr Tahir Khan, children, teachers and a governor.

Chair of governors Colin Brown said: “It was a fabulous event and the children were excited by the possibility of being record-breakers.”

And it looks like they may have their wish – the figure already stands at 4,000 and not all schools have made their returns.