YOUNGSTERS flocked to the Dorset County Museum in Dorchester for a chance to meet children’s author Terry Deary.

Queues formed outside the museum from 9am as the popular writer of the Horrible Histories books proved the star attraction on a fun-packed day of half-term events.

Mr Deary, who has penned over 200 books and sold 25million copies worldwide, signed copies of his works and chatted to the hordes of fans.

The author said: “It has been awesome. I’ve never seen so many people turn up for me to sign their books – and they’ve all been so polite, nobody horrible at all.”

Laura Hounsell, 12, from Dorchester, brought along her copy of The Blitzed Brits for Mr Deary to sign.

She said: “I have read about five of his books and also watched his CBeebies programme – it’s nice to have him here in person.

“He said he wouldn’t give me the book back until I said a tongue twister.”

Sister Celia, 9, had her copy of The Vile Victorians signed by Mr Deary.

She said: “I enjoyed meeting him, he told me it was the third book he had written.”

Ten-year-old Jazz Cripwell, from Poundbury, said: “I’ve got almost the whole collection of his books, he’s my favourite writer.”