North hopes for wizard's return

Alnwick Castle in Northumberland was transformed into Hogwarts

UK film bosses are hopeful Alnwick Castle will return as wizard school Hogwarts for the fourth of the Harry Potter films.

The first two in the series were shot in the grounds of the Duke of Northumberland's home.

But it was dropped for the third film, in favour of computer effects.

Warner Brothers, which is producing Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, say a decision on locations will be made soon.

The north-east of England missed out on millions of pounds because of the decision to drop the region as Harry Potter's mystical school.

Warner Bros, which owns the rights to JK Rowling's child wizard books, used digital effects and other locations in Scotland for the third film due out soon - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

Filming is due to start in the summer and preparations are still being worked out for the locations to be used Warner Brothers spokeswoman

But Northern Film and Media (NFM), which is tasked with attracting movie and television production to the region, said it remained hopeful the wizard saga would return to Northumberland.

British-born director Mike Newell, best known for making Four Weddings and a Funeral, has been signed up to direct the fourth in the planned series of seven Potter movies.

Gail Mason, location services manager with NFM, said: "While we haven't heard anything definite yet, we are in constant touch with Warner Brothers.

"We know the location manager for the new Harry Potter film, because we also worked with her on Elizabeth.

"It was a bit of a shame they didn't come back for the third film, but we remain hopeful.

Castle transformed

"They do have a lot of stock footage from the time they were here and in Durham, so I suppose they could use computer generated effects again if they chose to.

"But it would be wonderful for everyone in Alnwick if they came back."

A spokeswoman for Warner Brothers said: "Filming is due to start in the summer and preparations are still being worked out for the locations to be used."

Alnwick Castle was twice transformed into wizard school Hogwarts, and two small towns were created at Durham's old cricket ground.

Northumberland alone has enjoyed a 20% boom in visitors since the first film, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, which was released in November 2001.

The bulk of the latest film was shot on a closed set at Leavesden Studios in Watford.

External scenes were filmed in Glencoe in the Scottish Highlands.