Kettering muggle brothers' Harry Potter-inspired creation magics up top prize

A pair of Kettering brothers have won a World Book Day competition with a wizard idea - a recreation of a magical moment in children's fiction.

Eight-year-old Max Baillie and his brother Leo, six, transformed their family fireplace into a scene from JK Rowling's Harry Potter and the Philospher's Stone.

The Barton Seagrave Primary pupils created their own version of 4 Privet Drive, when Harry Potter received his acceptance letter to Hogwarts down the chimney, much to his horrible Uncle Vernon’s annoyance.

Mum Rachael Baillie said: “Thank you so much for choosing Max and Leo’s competition entry. It has given them a massive boost in what has been a difficult time.”

The competition asked children across the UK to create a heroic fictitious character from their favourite book using arts and crafts materials found at home and as shops across the UK are closed, families had to think on their feet.

The arts and craft competition, open to children up to the ages of 16, saw a number of inspiring entries from all across the UK, with parents entering their children’s homemade creations via Facebook and Instagram.

The creative boys have won a £100 gift voucher for competition organisers e-tailer Bargain Max, beating entries from across the country.

World Book Day 2021 takes place on March 4, and is set to look a little different this year with many school children still learning from home.

A spokesman for Bargain Max added: "Well done to our final five contestants, who each created really excellent entries and it was a tricky decision picking our winners.

"We weren’t sure how well this competition would be received, because things are different this year for children and parents.

"It was pleasing to see our competition provided families with something to do for World Book Day and we hope everyone enjoyed it partaking. Thank you to everyone who took part.”