Harry Potter star films with Kingswinford youngsters

Harry Potter star Mark Williams – who played Ron Weasley's father in the hit film series – gave up a whole day from his busy schedule to make a film with a group of Black Country youngsters.

The actor did not charge a penny for his stint grafting on a hot set with youngsters from Kingswinford-based Chatback Productions, which gives a voice to young people in care, as well as to the birth children of foster parents.

The 51-year-old star threw himself into filming with around 25 teenagers at Millennium Point in Birmingham, taking the role of a chat show host. The Bromsgrove-born star, who played Arthur Weasley and was also in the Fast Show, was asked what he thought of the youngsters.

He joked in a Black Country accent: "They'm all roit - they'll do. They could all get a part in Harry Potter – if they were making any more of them."

Chatback Productions has won national acclaim over the last four years.

Chelsea Grimason, aged 15, of Kinver, said: "I'd watched him for 10 years – he's so legendary – but he's really friendly."