Pupils learn to play Harry Potter game quidditch at Margaret Ward Catholic School in Tunstall

HIGH-FLYING Harry Potter fans tried their hand at the wizard's favourite sport as part of an alternative PE lesson.

Pupils aged between 11 and 13 at St Margaret Ward Catholic School, in Tunstall, were taught the rules of quidditch before hopping on their broomsticks to do battle on the field.

Keele University's quidditch team members Zoe Brooks and Connor Simpson were on hand to explain the rules of the game inspired by JK Rowling's famous books.

Eighteen-year-old Connor, who is studying for a degree in criminology and psychology, said: "There are many different roles but essentially the keeper plays football, the chaser plays rugby and the seeker plays hide and seek.

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"The sport is huge in America, there are about 1,000 teams and they even have a world cup.

"But here in England there are only about 10 official teams, but we are hoping that will change very soon.

"It's a full contact sport that is very physical, but we are teaching the more friendly version of the sport."

The sport involves five balls – a tennis ball inside a long sock which known as the snitch, three Bludgers which are thrown at the opposing team and a quaffle which is used to score by throwing it through one of three hoops.

Players then mount broomsticks and use their free hand to get the quaffle through the hoop.

Another team member is nominated to keep hold of the snitch, in a sock tied to the waist, and is allowed to break the boundaries of the pitch in order to keep the object away from the opponents.

Zoe, aged 20, who is the secretary of the Quidditch Society at Keel, said: "I used to play netball and wanted to know what quidditch was all about. I turned up and immediately thought, I could get into this.

"We do get teased a bit, especially by the hockey team. People shout 'where's Harry Potter' but everyone who comes to practice really enjoys it."

They university team is now preparing to take part in the first UK tournament in Edinburgh on March 16.