Wizard time for boys and ghouls!

CASTING their spells . . .Professor McGonnagal, Hagrid and Harry Potter, entertained the shoppers

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OLDHAM'S town centre Hallowe'en celebrations cast a magic spell over shoppers.

Boy wizard Harry Potter, his giant friend Hagrid and Hogwart's Professor McGonagall were among the attractions at Saturday's Oldham Spooktacular.

There was also a creepy life-size version of the game hangman, an invasion by dancing devils accompanied by drumming mutants and a cabinet of curiosities courtesy of Oldham Theatre Workshop featuring the likes of spider boy and the woman with no face.

Other entertainment in the High Street, Spindles shopping centre and Tommyfield market hall included a mad science show, creepy craft activities, scary face painting and balloon modelling. The town centre owl mascots Ollie and Millie also dressed up in Hallowe'en costumes.

Brothers Thomas (5) and Jack Donnelly (7), from Fitton Hill, both dressed as Harry Potter especially for the visit - and were thrilled to meet the "real" Harry who was part of the entertainment.

Mum Kath said: "It's been really good and the boys have enjoyed it. When they saw Harry Potter it was 'wow'."

Oldham town centre manager Sara Hewitt said: "This is our fifth Oldham Spooktacular. Hallowe'en has become really big in Oldham town centre and it is big for businesses.

"After the opening of the cinema last weekend, we have had a cinema theme with Harry Potter, Hogwarts and science experiments creating Hallowe'en special effects from the movies."

"Soon we will be starting our Christmas programme of activities which begins with the reindeer parade on November 12."