PHOTOGRAPHIC stills showing scenes from the second Harry Potter film have been magicked away from Leavesden film studios.

Thieves took pictures from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, which is due out next year. The snaps are reported to have been taken from a locked room.

Filmmakers Warner Brothers have sent a warning to all media picture desks not to use them but a spokesman from Hertfordshire police said the crime had not been reported.

This is the second time prized Potter items have been stolen. A wizard's hat and three gold coins were nabbed in February this year during the making of the first film, and later appeared for sale on the Internet.