Stephen Fry reads eight-hour unabridged version on FM as normal service switches to longwave
J K Rowling's seminal work, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, will be read in its entirety as part of Radio 4's Christmas line up, writes Dominic Timms.

The first of four Harry Potter novels, The Philospher's Stone will be narrated by comedian and author Stephen Fry in an eight hour continuous reading on 26 December.

Radio 4 controller Helen Boaden said she had been determined to capture the book ever since she was appointed earlier this year. She said: 'I felt Harry Potter might be a way of bringing a new generation of children, however briefly, to the magical experience of listening to speech radio.'