HORDES of local children are playground celebrities since starring in Harry Potter.

Hundreds of young stars from Redroofs stage school, in Maidenhead, were chosen as extras in the blockbuster, which is based on JK Rowling's best-selling series.

One such lucky young actor was 16-year-old David Aspinall, from Bourne End.

Fans would give anything to switch places with this youngster, who goes to Desborough School in Maidenhead, and starred in several scenes with Harry and his pals.

David auditioned for the film when he was 14 years old and was cast as a Gryffindor extra.

He acted in several scenes in the common room, on the moving staircase, in the Great Hall and in a scene where a group of Harry's pals leave him behind to go to Hogsmeade Village.

David explains how the costumes were intricately designed right down to the finest detail.

He says: "We had full Hogwarts uniforms with cloaks and a little inside pocket for wands. At first it seemed surreal to be part of the film, but you soon get used to it.

He adds: "They are a fun group to work with though. Maggie Smith was a laugh, and so was the director."

David is already looking forward to the next Harry Potter film.

"I made some great friends there and I am looking forward to meeting up with them again to make the next Harry Potter film. Filming for that starts soon after my GCSEs finish it's a great summer job and beats stacking shelves."

Like previous Harry Potter films, the latest movie was filmed in the heart of the English countryside at Leavesden Studios in Hertfordshire.

It joins a host of other mega blockbusters to be made there, including the first two episodes in the Star Wars series, The Matrix and the James Bond flick Die Another Day.