Rowling 'banks £3 million per week'

Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling has been named the world's best-paid author by Forbes magazine.

According to the US business publication, the 43-year-old banked $300 million (£170 million) in the last 12 months thanks to the continuing success of her Potter book and movie series, breaking down to over £3 million per week.

"It was wizardry that transformed J.K. Rowling from a destitute single mother on welfare into a bestselling billionaire," said a Forbes spokesman.

"Over on the big screen, her Potter franchise has already generated $4.5 billion (£2.6bn) at the worldwide box office - and she still has three more flicks to come."

Rowling's earnings were six times more than second-placed author James Patterson, who penned Along Came A Spider and Kiss The Girls.