A POPULAR North-East book fair will feature a special children’s day for the first time this weekend.

The Weardale Book Fair takes place in St Thomas Church Hall, Stanhope, between 10.30am and 3pm on Saturday, with free entry.

And, for the first time, the event – organised by Weardale WordFest – coincides with a Children’s Book Day at Stanhope Station.

The book fair, in the church hall, features best-selling author Glenda Young, along with local authors Margaret Manchester, Carol Graham, Jamie Tucknutt, Chris Ruskin, Graeme Rendall, Mike Kane, and Martin Rogers. Mike Thornton will also be attending, with his latest books about renowned County Durham artist, Norman Cornish.

Independent presses, Blueprint, Carte Blanche, Vane Women, and Reiver Country Books will also be showing what they have to offer.

Visitors can have a go at drop-in writing activities, and the Root and Branch pop-up café will be open for lunch and refreshments.

The inaugural Children’s Book Day takes place between 10am and 3pm, with poems, stories, puppets and competitions on board ‘The Story Train’ – a static buffet car.

Meanwhile, authors Holly Taylor, Nicola Wood, Chloe Atkinson, and Lisa and Mark Cryer will be selling children’s books on the platform.

At 1pm, author Peter Barron will give an interactive reading of his book, Darly’s Magical History Ride, on board a scheduled train from Stanhope to Wolsingham and back. As Darly, the train, goes back in time, young passengers get to be part of the story, ending with an encounter with a dinosaur.

Children can go along on Darly’s Magical History Ride to Wolsingham and back for just £1, but the normal fare applies to adults. All other events and activities are free.

Organiser Chris Powell said: “We are so excited by the line-up of authors for this year’s Weardale Book Fair, and the Children’s Book Day is something new for this year, so we can’t wait to bring the magic of books to Weardale.”