ILLUSTRATIONS from a book capturing the enchanting world of fairies will feature in an exhibition.

Child Hazel was described as one of the most magical works of the Edwardian age after it was featured on BBC1's Antiques Roadshow recently.

The book was written and illustrated by author Ida Brogue, who worked on it from 1912 to 1947.

Child Hazel, which was never published, tells the tale of a seven-year-old boy who falls asleep by a pond and is discovered by fairies.

They decide he is too innocent to live in the real world and spirit him away to theirs -a place where hedgehogs talk and fairies spend their days among flowers and butterflies.

Limited edition prints from the illustrated book will go on show for the first time at Phoenix Fine Arts, in Richmond, North Yorkshire, from next Friday.

The exhibition will mark the opening of a new gallery at the shop in Finkle Street.

Gallery owner Angela Davies said: "The book had lain dormant for a long time -it's a fascinating story.

"We normally just deal in originals, but we thought it was such an intriguing story it would be nice to have the prints in our first exhibition in the new gallery."

The prints have been reproduced by publisher Conrad Davies, who is no relation to Ms Davies. Discussions are also taking place about basing a film on the book.

Published: 18/03/2005