Harry Potter tour to open at Leavesden studios in 2012

Warner Brothers Studios at Leavesden is set to be one of the largest production facilities in Europe

Details of a new Harry Potter tour in Hertfordshire have been revealed by Hollywood studio Warner Brothers.

The attraction, at the Leavesden studios near Watford where the Harry Potter films were made, will open in spring 2012.

The three-hour tour will feature original sets, costumes, props and effects used in all eight movies.

Among the exhibits will be the set for the Great Hall at Hogwarts School and headmaster Dumbledore's office.

Warner Brothers Studios at Leavesden, which will house the tour, is set to be one of the largest studio production facilities in Europe when it opens next year.

Josh Berger, the head of Warner Brothers UK, says it is an important studio for the company, and will be bigger than their lot in Burbank, California.

"After having worked out of Leavesden for the last 10 years and knowing our future plans it made sense to make the deal now," he said.

"The sellers were prepared to sell now, we were prepared to buy and it just made sense to do it."

The eighth and final Harry Potter film will open in cinemas in July 2011.