4:44pm UK, Monday February 03, 2003

The Vatican has given its blessing to child wizard Harry Potter.

Church officials said the character, devised by author J.K Rowling, was good for children and helped them understand the difference between good and bad.

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Harry Potter

"I don't think that any of us grew up without the imaginary world of fairies, magicians, angels and witches," said Father Peter Fleetwood, a Vatican official.

"They are not bad or a banner for anti-Christian ideology. They help children understand the difference between good and evil."

The news comes just one month after it was announced Russian officials were to investigate claims that the books discredit Christianity.

The inquiry was launched after a complaint that Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets promotes witchcraft and discredits the Orthodox faith.

The latest movie about the young wizard's adventures, The Chamber of Secrets, became the first film to gross more than £10m in its opening weekend at the British box office.