A LEADING author and illustrator has helped an independent shop hold its first children's book signing event.

Nick Sharratt, the author of books such as Shark in the Park and Ketchup on your Cornflakes and illustrator of the Tracy Beaker books for Jacqueline Wilson, called into Drake - The Bookshop in Stockton.

Almost 100 people squeezed into the shop in the small space in the Enterprise Arcade after the author called in following the successful launch of an exhibition of his work at Middlesbrough's Dorman Museum.

Shop owner Richard Drake said: “I was very nervous beforehand. I probably did my 10,000 paces in the hour leading up to him arriving much to the amusement of everyone else in the Arcade. But it was such a great time and Nick is an amazing person. He had signed all day at the Dorman and came here and did another hour. It’s clear that he loves what he does, the kids and indeed some of the parents were so excited and thrilled to meet him.”

The exhibition Pirates, Pants and Wellyphants - The Illustrated World of Nick Sharratt is on at the Dorman Museum in Middlesbrough until April 10.