HARRY Potter star Rupert Grint is recovering after contracting swine flu, his publicist has revealed. The 20-year-old actor, from Watton-at-Stone, took time off filming after being struck down with a "mild bout" of the virus. Grint, who

HARRY Potter star Rupert Grint is recovering after contracting swine flu, his publicist has revealed.

The 20-year-old actor, from Watton-at-Stone, took time off filming after being struck down with a "mild bout" of the virus.

Grint, who plays Hogwarts student Ron Weasley in the hit wizard movies, has since improved.

He is now free to return to the set of the final Harry Potter blockbuster after the release of the sixth film in the series this week.

"It has just been confirmed that Rupert Grint has taken a few days out of filming due to a mild case of swine flu," the actor's spokesperson said in a statement.

"He has now recovered and is looking forward to joining his fellow cast members at the premieres this week and will then return to filming directly afterwards."

His publicist added that Grint's doctor confirmed he was no longer contagious or at risk of infecting others.

Grint is expected to join Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson on the red carpet for the world premiere of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in London on Tuesday night.

The seventh and final J K Rowling book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, is currently being filmed and will be released in two parts in 2010 and 2011.

* Swine flu has struck three Welwyn Hatfield schools in the last week, with suspected cases at Stanborough, Monk's Walk and Sherrardswood.