LOCAL authors Felicity Goodall and Kathy Shuker showcased their books as part of the celebrations for National Libraries Day at Kingsbridge on Saturday.

As torrential rain and wind battered the town, many book lovers took shelter in the library and joined in the competitions on a literary theme.

Among them was a chance to identify the desks of famous authors including Charles Dickens who was a special guest at the opening of the first public lending library over 160 years ago.

National Libraries Day celebrates the role of the local library in the community. Over the years it has changed from just lending books to include DVDs, access to free computers and of course a comfortable place to read your favourite newspaper.

On Saturday, February 6, there was a chance to hunt the storybook character with clues laid around the library as well as a quiz for adults. Library users of all ages were invited to write down the best thing about the library and add it to the library notice board.

There were refreshments and a chance to find out about the work of The Friends of the Library, which runs regular events there including talks.

Library Supervisor Maria Johnson told the Gazette: ‘Kingsbridge Library is firmly at the heart of the community and a much appreciated service. We are so lucky that we have not suffered the closures taking place across the country, but we do need people to continue to support us.

‘We have a wide range of events taking place at the library, something each day of the week in fact. All the details are on our website, or you can keep an eye on our Facebook page. I’d love to hear from anyone with ideas on how to improve what we have on offer.’

Kids were also invited to contribute their ideas to a poem about The Sneeze Who Blew Around the World, a work in progress by local author Felicity Goodall.

Felicity started telling the tale of the sneeze when her children were at school - now they’re at university. She said: ‘It’s snot going very well. The sneeze got stuck up the nose of a Devon fisherman and I can’t get it out.

‘I need some clever kids to help me. He’s quite a naughty character, but he’s well travelled. He can shoot through keyholes and travel huge distances on to people’s hankies.’

Felicity is the author of ’Lost Devon’ and ’Lost Plymouth’ as well as several books covering the Second World War. She has also written a play for Radio 4 and several pantomimes for the MAD Group.

Kathy Shuker, writes character-driven mysteries. Her second novel ’Silent Faces, Painted Ghosts’ is now available.