Original Harry Potter manuscript on show

British Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling signs autographs in 2010 Credit: Reuters

The original manuscript of the first Harry Potter novel is going on show in a new exhibition a stone's throw from the station where the teenage wizard caught the Hogwart's Express.

The work, including a scene where the character catches a train from Platform 9 3/4 at King's Cross Station in London, is part of an exhibition at the nearby British Library.

JK Rowling's Harry Potter books have sold more than 450 million copies, been translated into 74 languages and have inspired a series of hit films.

Also on show at the Writing Britain: Wastelands to Wonderlands exhibition is an original draft of John Lennon's song In My Life. The lyrics detail a bus journey from his childhood home into Liverpool city centre and appeared on the 1965 Rubber Soul album.

Other exhibits are a 14th-century copy of the poem Sir Gawain And The Green Knight, the original manuscript of The Strange Case Of Dr Jekyll And Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson and JRR Tolkien's artwork for The Hobbit.

Also on show, an original draft of John Lennon's song In My Life Credit: APGB

The exhibition, which opens tomorrow and runs until September 25, examines how English literature is influenced by the UK landscape and includes letters, maps, lyrics and drawings.

Jamie Andrews, head of english and drama at the library, said: