THE very first Stockton Book Festival took place at the weekend.

People of all ages gathered in a Stockton High Street and Stockton Central Library for the free event from 10am until 4pm, with the theme of rhymes, crimes and mischief.

Highlights of the event included a book-themed specialist market, a treasure hunt and visits from fantasy literary characters including Tinkerbell from JM Barrie’s Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland and Horrid Henry.

The event was among the first in the UK to feature live Skype sessions with popular authors, and adult crime writer Elizabeth Haynes entertained the audience via a weblink in the library.

A marquee on the High Street, the Library and Stockton’s first independent bookshop to open this century, Drake The Bookshop, were the venues for the event.

Other events included Willy Wonka sweet making, where The Victorian Sweet Kitchen was on hand to demonstrate how to create different treats, and storytime sessions where writers read from their own novels.

Councillor Norma Wilburn, Stockton Borough Council’s cabinet member for

arts, leisure and culture, said: “It was a wonderful day and great to see such a variety of ages enjoying the wide range of activities on offer.

“The festival will have encouraged more people in the borough to read.

“The line-up was huge and meant there was fun for the whole family.

“One of the most popular activities during the day was when the children got a visit from some of their favourite characters.”

The festival also saw the launch of the twentieth edition of Stockton Children’s Book of the Year which will see about 500 children vote for their favourite book from a shortlist.