THE final chapter of one of Europe's biggest annual children's book festivals is held next week.

More than 5,000 children and families are expected to visit the finale of the Northern Children's Book Festival, at an annual gala day, from 10am to 4.30pm, at County Hall, Durham City, on Saturday next week. The event brings to an end two weeks of free events for the region's bookworms.

Councils across the region bring the magic of books to children through the festival, which this year will see 39 authors and illustrators attend weekday events that will reach about 16,000 children.

Nine authors and illustrators are lined up for the free gala day on Saturday, November 18

They include award-winning Anne Fine, picture book writer Jez Alborough and Judith Kerr, who is celebrating 30 years of Mog the Cat.

The festival began in 1984 and aims to bring books alive for children.

Sessions with the authors are by ticket only but some will be available on the day on a first- come, first-served basis