Mystic and wonder are not just limited to the Shire or Hogwarts - south Essex has its own magical links thanks to Harry Potter.

Stuntman David Holmes was born in Leigh, and still lives in Essex. The Daniel Radcliffe double carried out all the stunts in the Harry Potter film franchise from 2001 and 2009, standing in for the titular character himself.

Tragically, David's stunt career came to a sudden end when he suffered a severe injury while rehearsing for the penultimate film in the franchise, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1".

David was left paralysed, with a debilitating spinal injury.

WATCH the trailer for the touching documentary:

Last year, David and Daniel Radcliffe collaborated on a documentary about his experiences. Directed by Dan Hartley, it features candid personal footage shot over the last decade, behind-the-scenes material from David’s stunt work, and scenes of his current life.

The film has since been nominated for a Bafta.

But Essex's Harry Potter links go beyond the cast. 

Thurrock, on the Thames Estuary, found itself being dragged into the wizarding world itself in the late 2000s.

The Dartford Tunnel was the site of a dramatic high-speed chase in "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1".

WATCH Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter and Robbie Coltrane as Hagrid in a high-speed Dartford Tunnel chase:

Filming for the blockbuster is thought to have taken place overnight, when the Dartford Tunnel is frequently closed for maintenance.