AN ARTIST from Winsley was responsible for creating the facial hair for Robbie Coltrane and Richard Harris for the children's film, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.

Sarah Weatherburn, who owns a company in London that specialises in producing fake hair, created the looks for all the characters, including the wizard-like beards of Rubeus Hagrid and Albus Dumbledore, played by Robbie Coltrane and Richard Harris.

Miss Weatherburn said: "The wigs and facial hair the characters had to wear were big and heavy but Richard Harris and Robbie Coltrane were great, they didn't moan they just got on with it.

"Working on the film was wonderful and the film makers have tried to keep as close to the original text as possible. J K Rowling was on set a lot and I think she is very happy with the finished production."

The facial hair specialist began her training at Trowbridge College and, after spending some time working in Ontario, Canada, Miss Weatherburn, 41, returned to the UK where she began working for Sarah Philips and Co, before taking over the business herself.

Miss Weatherburn said: "The Harry Potter film is great for our industry.

"The books are amazing, they've got children away from their televisions and computer screens and made them read all over again, all the kids are so excited about the film coming out."

As well as working on the Harry Potter film, Miss Weatherburn has created the hairpieces for The Lord of the Rings trilogy, which is due to open next month.

Miss Weatherburn said: "The Lord of the Rings trilogy was shot back to back in New Zealand for 18 months and working on that film was really exciting.

"The film is a wonderful project, but it was just unfortunate that we didn't get the opportunity to go to New Zealand as well."

The company was also responsible for the hair in Gladiator, Quills, Carrington, Bedazzled, Elizabeth, Saving Private Ryan as well as the shaggy mass of chest hair sported by Mike Myers in Austin Powers 2.

Miss Weatherburn said: "It was quite an experience creating that hair for Mike Myers but I think in this job you have got to love what you do."

"It's a really interesting job as you get to meet a lot of interesting people but also you get to work on lots of different types of hair."