Mystery of Potter title revealed

Magical effect: Harry Potter is a publishing phenomenon

One of the biggest secrets in the publishing world has been let loose, with the revelation of the title of the long-awaited Harry Potter children's book.

The fourth book in the series of fantastical adventures, created by JK Rowling, has been announced as Harry Potter and the Goblet Of Fire.

But the book's plot, which centres around the young wizard protagonist Harry Potter, still remains shrouded in mystery.

The fourth Harry Potter is a hit even before its release

The title was released by publishers Bloomsbury at around 1700 BST and announced on BBC1's children's news bulletin Newsround.

Online bookseller Amazon also promptly posted the title and a copy of the book sleeve on its UK website.

The first three Harry Potter books have captured the imagination of children and adults alike, turning the tales of wizardry into a huge publishing phenomenon.

The latest cover shows teenage wizard Potter flying on a broomstick and dodging the fiery breath of a dragon.

Wizard sales

The print-run for Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire has set a new publishing record with one million editions in the first run.

A representative for Amazon.co.uk said the book had also smashed all records for a book sold online, with hundreds of orders flooding in daily.

Revealing the title at this stage is set to increase the momentum in the run up to publication next week

Steve Frazier, Amazon.co.uk

Extra staff have been recruited at the online bookseller's distribution centre to cope with the anticipated demand, and security has been tightened to ensure nobody reveals the plot ahead of the book's official launch on 8 July.

Steve Frazier, managing director of Amazon.co.uk, said: "Revealing the title at this stage is set to increase the momentum in the run up to publication next week. I wouldn't be surprised if it resulted in another massive increase in sales."

Rags to riches

Rowling, who is now a multi-millionaire, has already said that there is a death in this latest instalment to show that good does not necessarily always triumph over evil.

JK Rowling received an OBE for her services to children's books

The Harry Potter series, about a schoolboy wizard, had started life when Rowling was day-dreaming on a train journey to London.

The first drafts had been written when the author was a penniless single mother who scribbled away in cafes to save on heating in her tiny flat.

The author recently received an OBE in the Queen's birthday honours for her services to children's literature.