HARRY Potter helped to raise thousands of pounds for the Foundation For Peace at a black tie champagne ball.

A copy of the last novel about the boy wizard, signed by author J K Rowling, sold for £2,200 during a charity auction at the fundraising event at the Park Royal Hotel in Stretton.

Granada Reports journalist and charity fundraiser Paul Crone gave his time free to compere at the ball, sponsored by Birchwood-based MWH, before X Factor performer Paris Graham-Jones and her sister, Portia, entertained the crowd with classical music.

Colin and Wendy Parry, whose son Tim was killed in the IRA bombing of Warrington in 1993, and chief executive Clare White then introduced a short film about the Foundation's work presented by actress Emma Thompson.

The night helped raise more than £25,000 for the charity.