LITERARY enthusiasts from Yorkshire and beyond came to Bedale at the weekend for the town’s annual October book and postcard fair.

Specialist dealers in antiquarian and second hand books came from across the UK to set up stalls at Bedale High School as the event celebrated its 10th anniversary.

A total of 33 stalls were set up, with a range of subjects on offer, including local history, children’s books, railway history and sports.

The stalls also included eight dealers that specialised in historic postcards.

The fair is held to raise funds for the Friends of Chernobyl’s Children charity, which brings a group of children over to the UK each summer from the areas worst affected by nuclear fallout to give them some respite from the continuing radiation.

The issue was close to the heart of the founder of the book fair, and chairman of the charity, John Reppie, a former BBC Russia correspondent who died suddenly earlier this year.

Organiser Denny Gibson said: "The event was very well attended and we had visitors from as far away as Sussex and Somerset who plan their holidays around the fair.

"The stalls included books on every subject that you can think of and we have endless books that have just gone out of print."

The next Bedale book fair will be held on Sunday, March 28, again in aid of the Friends of Chernobyl’s Children.

For more information contact Mrs Gibson on 01677-422863.