A primary school headteacher is banning pupils from reading the Harry Potter children's books because she says they go against the Bible's teachings, it emerged yesterday.

Carol Rookwood, head of St Mary's Island Church of England aided school, in Chatham, Kent, said parents have given "100% support" to the decision.

The books, by JK Rowling, tell the tales of Harry Potter, a boy wizard. Mrs Rookwood, who has four grown-up children, said: "We are a Church of England aided primary school, which means the church ethos is very important to what we do.

"The Bible is consistent in its teachings that wizards, devils and demons exist and are real and dangerous, and God's people are told to have nothing to do with them.

"It is not just books by one author, but a range of books, videos and TV programmes that portray witches and wizards as fantasy, imaginary, fun and harmless, but that's not what the Bible says.

"We have studied The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, which is not a problem because it shows an evil witch who is overcome by the powers of good," she added.

Mrs Rookwood admitted that there were sets of Harry Potter books in the school, but said that the governors and staff, as well as herself, had agreed they were not to be made freely available to the school's pupils.

She added: "I am not aware of any parents who disagree."