WATCH out Harry Potter! There’s some new wizards on the block.

Families gathered for their first ever wand whittling session at a nature reserve.

Fingringhoe Wick, on the outskirts of Colchester, hosted the spellbinding activity which taught children dexterity while enjoying the great outdoors.

Budding wizards and witches were able to create their own wands in the woods.

Organisers ran through the different magical properties of the wood they were using – alder, elder, hazel, willow and ash.

The children got to pick which power wand they wanted to create.

After their wands were finished, the trust’s education officer and the eight children and families made a magical bubbling cauldron and pots of slime which the children were able to take home.

Kirsty Groves, who is an education officer at Essex Wildlife Trust, said it was a hugely successful event.

She said: “It was a lovely sunny day and great to see these children learning how to use tools in our woodland setting.

“The children loved the outdoor workshop and were running around with their magical wands and enjoying being outside on the nature reserve.”