FOR years back in the 60s and 70s the name Sybil Leek never seemed to be far from the headlines even when Hampshire's most famous witch moved from the New Forest to America.

For a time Sybil, who is pictured with Mr Jackson, the jackdaw that spent most of its time sitting on her shoulder, cast a spell over the nation. Everything the self-proclaimed witch did was eagerly reported by newspapers and television.

Sybil was an author with 64 books to her credit, astrologer and high priestess of the New Forest Witches' Coven. She lived with her husband who ran an antiques shop in the New Forest.

Here she lived surrounded by the trappings of her persuasion; a cauldron, a broomstick, black cape, hood and at one time a pet boa constrictor called Mrs Sashima.

At the peak of her fame in the mid-1960s Sybil, who died at the age of 65 in 1982 while living in Florida, told one newspaper: "There is nothing sinister about it. The coven needs the cauldron because it gets damn cold at night in the Forest.''

Sybil followed the cult of "white witchcraft'', the god was nature and spells and incantations to the Fire God and the Earth God were equivalent of prayers. A New Forest clearing acted as her church and she believed that the elements controlled her destiny.

When she moved to America Sybil became a celebrity, even forming her own company called Sybil Leek Incorporated of Las Vegas and carrying out lecture tours, making films and appearing on radio and television.