HARRY Potter author JK Rowling, who was educated in Chepstow, said writing the finale of the series was "coming along nicely" as she took the Book of the Year title.

Her sixth book in the schoolboy wizard series, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, was awarded the accolade at the British Book Awards last night.

It beat off competition from Jamie Oliver (Jamie's Italy), Sharon Osbourne (My Autobiography) and Jeremy Clarkson (The World According to Clarkson) to the title.

Rowling, 40, said: "I'm delighted."