JK Rowling has sent Harry Potter books to a young fan in Syria after her mother messaged the author to ask how her daughter could get hold of the novels.

The writer, 51, sent an ebook to the seven-year-old girl, who is living in the besieged eastern part of the Syrian city of Aleppo.

Bana Alabed, whose account is managed by her mother, said in a message on Twitter that she is “reading to forget the war”.

JK replied, when her mother first tweeted the author, to say her daughter loved the Harry Potter films:

@AlabedBana Bana, I hope you do read the book, because I think you'd like it. Sending you lots and lots of love xxx

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) November 21, 2016

When her mother asked how she could get hold of the book, a member of JK’s staff stepped in and organised the ebook.

@jk_rowling she wants to but we don't have it here. We watched the movie before. How do we get?

— Bana Alabed (@AlabedBana) November 21, 2016

And the author was delighted:

@NeilBlairTBP @missguppy1 @AlabedBana Brilliant idea, Neil, I've been obsessing over this all morning!

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) November 21, 2016

My friend @jk_rowling how are you? Thank you for the book, love you from #Aleppo. - Bana pic.twitter.com/c84b4Zux0G

— Bana Alabed (@AlabedBana) November 23, 2016

And JK replied: “Love you too, Bana! Thinking of you, keep safe.”