Caerphilly is a town famed for its castle and its cheese, as well as being the birthplace of the likes of Tommy Cooper and Aaron Ramsey.

But for millions of Harry Potter fans around the world, the town will be known for its quidditch team – the Caerphilly Catapults.

Quidditch is a fictional sport which heavily features in the Harry Potter books and films.

Caerphilly is being given ‘Honorary Quidditch Town Status’ to mark the release of Harry Potter author J.K Rowling’s new book – Quidditch Through The Ages Illustrated Edition.

Caerphilly is one of 11 towns across the UK to be given the status, with a banner being placed at Caerphilly Castle as part of the book’s promotion.

The banner, which features the Caerphilly Catapults badge, was presented to Caerphilly County Borough Mayor, Cllr Carol Andrews, by Bloomsbury Publishing.

The banner went up on display on Friday, October 22 and will be up until Sunday, October 31.

Cllr Andrews said: “Caerphilly has a rich history and heritage, so this seems a fitting tribute and we’re delighted to be recognised as an Honorary Quidditch Town.

“Harry Potter’s favourite sport Quidditch brings joy to children and adults across the world, and this decorative banner, emblazoned with the town’s team colours, shows our support for our beloved Quidditch team.”

A spokesperson from Bloomsbury Publishing said: “We’re really proud to recognise Caerphilly as an Honorary Quidditch Town alongside ten other towns and villages across the United Kingdom and Ireland.

“Fans can now unearth the real-life towns and villages inspiring the names of Quidditch teams.”

Ten-year-old Gracie, who attends Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Y Castell, in Caerphilly, said: “I’m obsessed with Harry Potter and dream of playing Quidditch, so I’m really happy to find out that I now go to school in an Honorary Quidditch Town. I loved visiting the sign and it’s great that Caerphilly has been honoured in this way.”  

The eleven honorary Quidditch towns that have recieved the banners are:

• Appleby (Appleby Arrows) 
• Ballycastle (Ballycastle Bats)
• Caerphilly (Caerphilly Catapults)
• Falmouth (Falmouth Falcons) 
• Holyhead (Holyhead Harpies)
• Kenmare (Kenmare Kestrels)
• Montrose (Montrose Magpies)
• Portree (Pride of Portree)
• Tutshill (Tutshill Tornados) 
• Wigtown (Wigtown Wanderers)
• Wimborne (Wimborne Wasps)