It is the latest twist in the tabloid furore over the production of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

The two men, aged 19 and 37 and both from Kettering, have been released on bail and will appear before magistrates in Kettering on 13 June.

A spokeswoman for Northamptonshire Police said the two men were charged with the offences following a tip-off to police.

Two books were recovered at the scene, which the spokeswoman said were now being housed under safe conditions.

According to newspaper reports, police were tipped off after the two tried to meet with reporters from The Sun and the Daily Mirror.

Clays, which printed all the previous Potter books, and Arvato subsidiary Druckerei GGP in Germany have been suggested as print sites by The Sun but neither has commented.

The latest controversy follows the theft of two first edition copies of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in 2003. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is set for global release on 16 July.

Story by Andy Scott