CRIME writers from across the North came together at the weekend for the first specialist out-of-print detective and science fiction book fair.

Among those taking part in the event at Harrogate, North Yorkshire, were Peter Walker, whose police novels under his Nicholas Rhea pen name have become the Heartbeat televisions series.

Also at the fair were Meg Elizabeth Atkins, a North Yorkshire author who has published her 12th book, Death Out of Season, as well as authors Val McDermid, Gwen Moffat, Ann Cleeves and Barbara Whitehead.

Members of the Northern Branch of the Crime Writers' Association combined their annual meeting with the book fair, which was organised by the Provincial Booksellers Fairs Association, at the Crown Hotel on Saturday.

Darlington bookseller and event organiser Jeremiah Vokes, said: "Harrogate is a natural choice for our first fair because of its association with Agatha Christie."