A "READ-IN" for lovers of written works of fact and fiction will give people in the North-East a chance to quiz authors first hand over their story lines.

Members of reading groups will gather at County Hall, Durham, for newBOOKS.mag, the first event of its kind to be staged in the region. Organised by Northern Arts, in conjunction with the library services of County Durham, Sunderland, Gateshead and North Tyneside, newBOOKS.mag is expected to prove popular with bookworms young and old.

Maureen Robinson, of Durham County Council's cultural services section, said: "It's a great opportunity for people to meet others from all 11 local authority areas in the region who enjoy reading or are already in reading groups.

"But, there's an added dimension of being able to talk to authors about their work and find out from them why the story unfolded as it did."

Among the writers taking part are Sara Banerji, author of Shining Hero, Lavinia Greenlaw, whose first work was published earlier this year, plus popular novelists Cathy Kelly and Sally Vickers, who will be returning to her home county.

There is a £10 charge for the event, on Saturday, September 28.

The fee includes lunch and a goodie bag containing at least one paperback book.

Application forms to reserve a place on a first come, first served basis, are available in local libraries.

* newBOOKS.mag Reader Days are backed by the Arts Council of England. The magazine is for readers and reading groups and carries information about newly published books and old favourites, as well as supporting articles..