(Un)known Gets Potter Role

Thousands of girls who auditioned for the part of Lavender Brown in the new Harry Potter film have been left disappointed after producers named their choice.

Jessie Cave, a 20-year-old actress, landed the role in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.

She is about to appear on TV in new CBBC drama Summerhill, and on the big screen in forthcoming film Inkheart opposite Dame Helen Mirren.

Jessie is two years older than the age stipulated at the audition in July.

Then, producers held an open casting call for girls aged 15-18 at Earls Court in London and said "no acting experience necessary".

Around 7,000 hopefuls queued for hours in a bid to win the role of their dreams.

Announcing the auditions, director David Yates said: "These auditions are open to everybody and we can't wait to see who comes in the door."

"Normally I have all these casting agents sending me kids who have been to stage school and who come in tap-dancing and singing."

"What we are looking for is someone natural and absolutely credible in their own right."

Lavender is Ron Weasley's girlfriend and a fellow pupil at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

She kisses him constantly and calls him "Won Won" - much to his dismay - while he secretly pines for Hermione Granger.