SHOPPERS' heads turned in recognition as Harry Potter did a spot of Christmas shopping in York city centre.

But the bespectacled youngster was actually little Thomas Slater, who was judged the winner of an Evening Press competition to find the best character lookalike from Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone.

Six-year-old Thomas was busy spending his £100 prize money on his favourite hero's goodies at Woolworths, in Coney Street.

Thomas, from Kelfield, near Riccall, pictured clutching a Hedwig the owl lookalike and a wand, beat off stiff competition after scores of people dressed up as Harry and entered their photographs.

Updated: 11:16 Saturday, December 08, 2001