Rare collection sold

A rare set of Harry Potter books which were kept under lock and key in a police station have sold for almost £20,000 in an internet auction. The books were signed by the author JK Rowling and are so valuable that they are being kept in an Aberdeenshire police HQ.

They have been auctioned off on eBay in aid of local charity Books Abroad which supplies books to children worldwide. Bidding ended at midnight on Saturday and the books were sold for £18,200.

The Harry Potter auction has been one of the most watched items on eBay in all categories. The seven books, signed by JK Rowling, are believed to be one of only a few such sets in the world.

JK Rowling's mother-in-law, Barbara Murray, works for the charity, which supplies books to schools across the world. The author agreed to donate the set as part of the organisation's 25th anniversary celebrations.

Rhynie-based Books Abroad has sent an estimated two million free books around the world in 25 years.