The vehicles were vandalised near Scarborough

But the owners of the famous steam engine from the Harry Potter movies have been forced to spend �3,000 re-painting it after it was daubed with graffiti by vandals.

Hogwarts Castle - which pulls the Hogwarts Express - was attacked earlier this month near Scarborough Railway Station, in North Yorkshire.

Two coaches were spray-painted after the train had been on public show.

Police are convinced the vandals knew exactly which train they were attacking, because of its world-wide fame.

The number 5972 is well-known by Harry Potter fans

The number 5972 is instantly recognisable with fans of J K Rowling's books.

Its owners, the West Coast Railway Company (WCRC), have brought it back to their base in Carnforth, Lancashire, to repair the damage.

James Shuttleworth, of WCRC, said: "It's cost us probably �3,000 to re-paint the vehicles which didn't need it, they were in perfectly good condition.

"The vandals probably don't realise quite what a spell Hogwarts casts on its fans."

The train is used during the summer by tourists travelling between Scarborough and York.