Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Christmas came early for fans of the Harry Potter series this year, with the revelation of the title of the long-awaited seventh book. The final instalment of the adventures of the boy wizard who, has captured the imagination of children (and adults) the world over, will be called Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

The announcement, which was made on the website of JK Rowling's UK publisher, Bloomsbury, puts an end to months of internet speculation, with guesses ranging from Harry Potter and the Pyramids of Furmat to Harry Potter and the Graveyard of Memories. The actual title, however, gives little away; doubtless the rumour mills will now go into overdrive debating what exactly "deathly hallows", which have not featured in any of the previous Potter books, may be.

Kes Nielsen, head of book-buying at Amazon.co.uk, reported a surge of activity in the site's Harry Potter store, following the announcement. "This is the first piece of the jigsaw in the final part of the Harry Potter series," he said. "The book's release will be met with an unprecedented level of excitement - but also a sense of sadness. Over the past 10 years, so many people have been enchanted by the world and characters that JK Rowling has created. It will be like saying goodbye to an old friend."

Rowling has yet to deliver the final manuscript of the climax to the Potter series; speaking on her website two days ago, she said that she had been "working very hard ... writing scenes that have been planned, in some cases, for a dozen years ... I am alternately elated and overwrought. I both want, and don't want, to finish this book (don't worry, I will.)"

The publication date for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is still unknown, but is expected to be set in early 2007.