New Harry Potter book to be released in July

A new Harry Potter book is to be released on the character's birthday in July.

The script of the new stage play Harry Potter And The Cursed Child will be released as a book on July 31, 2016, Rowling's website Pottermore confirmed.

It comes nine years after JK Rowling's final story, The Deathly Hallows.

The Cursed Child is officially the eighth book in the Harry Potter canon and will be released in two versions: a Special Rehearsal Edition using the script performed in the play's previews, before being replaced later by a Definitive Collector's Edition.

It will be the first tale in the Harry Potter canon not to be penned by Rowling. The two-part play has been written by Jack Thorne, although it has been based on an original idea 

by Rowling, Thorne and the stage play's director John Tiffany.

The news will be a relief for fans worldwide who are desperate to join in the new chapter of Harry, Ron and Hermione's wizarding adventure, but unable to get tickets to the play, which at the moment has only been confirmed to show in London.

Tom Felton, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Matthew Lewis at the premiere of Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows - Part 2 in 2011 Credit: PA

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows ended 19 years after the Battle of Hogwarts, as Harry waved his two eldest children off to the wizarding school.

The Cursed Child will pick up from that moment, focusing on Harry as a frazzled 

Ministry of Magic civil servant and his middle child Albus Severus, who is struggling under the weight of the family's legacy.