WORCESTERSHIRE authors who have ten top-selling titles between them will take part in Worcester Waterstones' biggest book-signing session.

The Worcester History Big Event with up to five authors is being held at the Shambles store on Thursday (December 3) as part of late night Christmas shopping between 6pm and 8pm.

Shoppers can also enjoy refreshments and a discount of ten per cent off full priced items during the event.

Senior bookseller Paul Burden said:“It’s the accumulated knowledge of several historians and writers whose combined works cover most of the fascinating tale of the history of the city and county, and who will be on-hand to sign copies of their respective books – several of which are already top sellers.”

The line-up of authors includes Annette Leach who wrote The Story of Worcester and John Hodges whose work includes the histories of Chateau Impney, Witley Court, Dumbleton Hall, Wood Norton Hall, Condover Hall and Bedstone Court as well as two books on Worcestershire’s Salt King John Corbett.

They will also be joined by Terry Wardle, the author of Historic Worcester Streets, History of Barbourne, and Heroes and Villains of Worcester, along with

Bob Blandford who has written Worcester Pubs Then and Now Vols I and II.

Mr Burden said: “Worcester is fortunate in being well-served in books on local interest, and local history is a year-round favourite – but never more so than at Christmas when the everlasting question of what to buy for presents is a keen issue.

“Over recent years, books from small local publishers have more than held their own against the national best-sellers – the streets book and the pubs books particularly outselling publications by star names who traditionally choose Christmas to launch their biographies and other works.”

He added that he’s expecting the two-hour event – the biggest of its kind yet held in Worcester – will at least match many of the high-profile signing sessions held in the Shambles shop over the years.