THE much anticipated Harry Potter book has been 'flying off the shelves' despite efforts by religious fundamentalists who menaced crowds outside a Bovey Tracey bookshop.
The two men handed out leaflets against the schoolboy wizard as Potter fans waited for the Order of the Phoenix outside the Cottage Bookshop in Bovey Tracey just before midnight on Friday.
The literature Harry Potter: A warning to Christian parents claims that the creations of JK Rowling are 'training manuals for the occult' that promote anti-christian sentiments.
But bookshop owner Nick Harman said that while some customers 'engaged in a healthy debate' with the men, the message did not dent his sales.
'It raises an interesting debate. I don't feel offended by it and it did not effect my business but I can't find anything in the point of view they are trying to put over.
'On a simple level, which is my own view, if evil exists then it is better to have it out in the open and children are quite good judges of what's right and wrong.
'Essentially, the books are about the triumph of good over evil,' said Mr Harman.
Mr Harman said that 180 books had been sold with 40 books ringing through the tills in the first 15 minutes.
The Newton Abbot branch of WH Smith sold 700 books on Saturday with around 100 more leaving the store each day.
Supervisor Darren Howlett said: 'Opening at midnight was superb, there was a queue stretching down to Union Street.
'We sold 152 copies in 45 minutes.'
Stella Watson of the Mitre bookshop, Newton Abbot, said that Saturday sales went well considering the large chain discounts.
'I think we provided a good all round deal and thanks to all our customers who value local shops,' she said.
The Young family of Linden Terrace, Newton Abbot have been following the Hogwarts adventures since the first book was published in 1997.
Eldest daughter Joanne, 13, queued at midnight to get her hands on the prized copy.
The Knowles Hill student said: 'It's really boring at the beginning but it should get better, but at the minute it's not going along fast enough,' she said.
Despite claims that the novels have become a national phenomenon, Joanne said that there are only one or two in her class that are reading the book, with boys being more likely to pick up the 766-page tome.
Mum Tina said that she reads the adventures to Hannah, five, and Henry, eight. 'The book appeals to all ages. I thought I'd never read a children's book but I find that I'm enjoying it as well.'
Lizzie Hearn, a teacher from Bishopsteignton finished the book on Monday. The 24-year-old said: 'Harry Potter has grown up. I really enjoyed the book and it is better than the Goblet of Fire.'