BEST-selling children's author Michael Rosen delighted young fans when he showed up for a book signing at Worcester's Hive library.

Mr Rosen, famous for titles such as We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, was in the city as part of the University of Worcester Storytelling Festival for Children.

The former Children’s Laureate, he is no stranger to the Hive, having visited it in 2012 to officially open the children's library there.

Ahead of a sell-out public appearance in the evening, he held a signing for his avid readers in the afternoon, with dozens of families attending.

Many turned up clutching treasured copies of favourite books, while there was also the chance to buy copies of his new book, Bah! Humbug! A Christmas Carol.

Speaking to the Worcester News, he revealed his own tastes in reading matter when he was a boy.

He said: "I had quite a love of historical fiction, and the other books I liked were stories told from the point of view of animals. That used to be quite a popular form of children's writing in the 1950s, which doesn't really appear today. There were a number of author writing them, and some of them were quite intense."

Mr Rosen also said that public appearances were very rewarding to writers who spend much of their working time alone.

He said: "When you're doing a reading, and the children start saying the words along with you, that's a very nice feeling. So often as a writer, you wonder if anyone else is listening, so having it proved this way is very rewarding."

Among the first in line to have their books signed at the event were Amber and Jack Venables of St Peters, whose mum Laura said: "We all love his books, especially We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, and I 'm hoping to get my children entered in his Share a Story competition on CITV."