A HEREFORD schoolboy is working his wizardry on casting directors for the second Harry Potter film.

James Wisker dreams of swapping Hereford Cathedral School for Hogwarts school for wizards and has auditioned to play Justin Finch-Fletcher in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

James, aged 13, was just eight when he first ''got a buzz for acting'' during a school production of The Wizard of Oz.

James and twin sister Annabel were born 12 weeks prematurely and weighed just over 2lbs each. At 4ft 7in tall, James is still small for his age.

"He went down to 1lbs 14oz at one stage and it was a very hard few years," said his mother Geraldine. "I think at that time they were the smallest babies to survive at Hereford County Hospital.''

She believes it is James' start in life that has made him so determined to realise his burning ambition to become an actor and singer.

He has been a performer at home, giving concerts and shows to his family and friends.

"My parents for years humoured me, but now recognise I'm serious and they're very supportive," said James.

Perseverance

An early opportunity to show off his talents arrived when pop star Boy George came to stay at the family's Herefordshire hotel, and James sang Karma Chameleon to him in the sitting room.

TV's Denise Van Outen is another fan. After staying at the country house hotel with pop star Jay Kay she has kept in touch and told James ''hard work and determination'' is the way to the top.

James's perseverance paid off last year when he won his first TV role in Channel 4's Teachers, in which he becomes the target for school bullies.

He will next appear as a chorister in Bertie and Elizabeth, a new £5m drama focusing on the Queen Mother and her role at the centre of some of the 20th Century's most dramatic events.

Other accolades include an invitation to audition for Les Miserables in London's West End, and last year he tried for the National Youth Music Theatre.

James is now waiting to hear if he has made it on to the cast of the Harry Potter film, for which he auditioned at the end of last year.

"Justin's a very posh person who was originally down to go to Eton, but was found to have wizard power," said James, who is also interested in wizardry.

The avid Potter fan has read all JK Rowling's books and watched Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone twice.

"My school is very supportive. The head of music, John, Williams and head of drama, Lucy Zammit, give me lots of opportunities to perform," said James, who also attends Stagecoach Theatre Arts and has his own agent.