The Harry Potter novels have topped a list of the most re-read books, according to a poll conducted to mark the 2007 Costa Book Awards.

JK Rowling fended off competition from JRR Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings and Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, which came second and third respectively.

More than 2,000 people were quizzed to find the UK’s 20 most re-read books, with Tolkien’s The Hobbit, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronté and George Orwell’s 1984 next on the list.

Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code came seventh.

The likes of Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronté and Joseph Heller’s Catch 22 were among those named favourites to return to.

Literary agent Simon Trewin commented: ‘The public want instant gratification and there has never been a more important time to remind the reading public not to judge a book by its cover.’

Formerly the Whitbread Book Awards, the Costa Book Awards recognise contemporary literature.