Thirteen-year-old Astrid Bowen magicked herself into history last weekend when she became the first person in Pembrokeshire to get her hands on the latest Harry Potter book.

On the stroke of midnight, Astrid, from Pembroke, received her first edition copy in a special late-night event at Victoria Bookshop in Haverfordwest.

Bookshop owner Marley Davies, in conjunction with the Western Telegraph's Presspack, ran a painting competition, with the first prize winner being invited to the store at midnight to claim the first book.

Marley's daughter, Bethan, aged ten, really entered into the spirit of things, dressing up as her wizarding hero, to the delight of the crowds of avid readers - of all ages - queueing to get their latest Harry Potter fix!

For Marley it was a long day, with the books arriving by special courier on Friday morning. They had to be signed and accounted for and kept under lock and key until midnight on Friday night. "There couldn't have been more security if the boxes had contained gold bars," he said.

But for the Harry Potter fans the two-year wait since the last book hit the shelves was worth the wait!

Here we have the views of two Harry Potter fans who took just two days each read the 607 pages...

* The new Harry Potter book Harry Potter and the Half - Blood Prince was gripping. I couldn't put the book down and spent every spare moment I had reading it.

The book, like the other Harry Potter books, contained excitement, mystery, plot twists and surprises throughout.

I strongly recommend this book as I really enjoyed it. Once again J.K. Rowling has managed to produce a fantastic book.

Fallon John, New Moat, aged 11.

* The inexorable plot created by J. K. Rowling, has once more astounded and thrilled audiences across the globe - even within the first week of sale. It is the sixth book in a collection of seven, the final novel is set to appear within two years.

Rowling has continued to intrigue the readers with complex ideas of life and death, through the slippery characters of Professor Snape and the inspiring Dumbledore.

The plot is truly bewitching, and the author has succeeded to enchant audiences with the ever-blossoming relationship of Harry, Ron and Hermione.

However, this book does deal with rather dark, and sometimes sadistic, ideas, which will most definitely be carried on for the final installment of Harry Potter.

Therefore I believe that the seventh part of the Harry Potter series will be as magical and irresistible as the last.

Sam Davies, Tenby, aged 16.