A Yorkshire cemetery, it has emerged, is home to the grave of HARRY POTTER.

But fans of JK Rowling's schoolboy wizard can be assured the evil Lord Voldemort hasn't dealt their hero a fatal blow.

The Harry Potter buried at St Lawrence's Church, in Carlton Miniott, near Thirsk, in North Yorkshire, died in 1919 aged 29. His last resting place lay hidden underneath overgrown bushes and creeping ivy until the plants were removed during a clean-up.

And the workers responsible then learned, to their amazement, that the vicar for Carlton Miniott has the surname ROWLING.

The churchman in question is the Reverend Richard Rowling – but that's where the spooky coincidences end. He is no relation to the woman who penned the famous tales about Harry.

The tombstone's discovery has still sparked great interest in Carlton Miniott, however.

Parochial church councillor Robert Sidgwick's grandchildren are devoted fans of the Potter books.

He said they were fascinated and "very excited" when he told them about the find.

The gardeners who uncovered the grave were carrying out community service work.

Mr Sidgwick said: "Villagers have noticed a great deal of work has been done and it is certainly much appreciated."

He went on: "We contacted the Probation Service for help back in the summer.

"We were having trouble keeping the churchyard tidy because we had a small working team.

"The older part (of the site] needed lots of tender, loving care."