Popular children’s author Shoo Rayner paid a visit to entertain youngsters with stories and art.

Mr Rayner is the author and illustrator of critically acclaimed children’s books including The Ginger Ninja and Viking Vik. He hosted an event on Monday in the town hall as part of Malmesbury Carnival.

Caroline Kennedy, community librarian for Malmesbury, said: “Shoo is a well-known author and illustrator of children’s books; he’s written over 170 books and his belief is that every child can draw.

“He did a mix of storytelling and drawing. He started telling a story, drawing it and acting it out.

“He then went on to read one of his stories about a swamp man and got all the children drawing their own swamp men.

“All the children filled their pages.

“The highlight was Shoo pretending to be an alien, with lights and sound effects, really bringing stories to life.”

The library has also organised a poetry evening for Malmesbury Carnival, which is on August 29 from 7pm.

Guest writer David Bingham, from Shropshire, will open the free event and the audience will be encouraged to read poems they enjoy or have written.

Further events for the carnival include an Afternoon of Music on August 26 at Cuckingstool Mead from 3pm. There will be a craft tent, a bar and a barbecue.

Music will include Colleen and Anna Sheridan, Chris and Lydia Knibbs, and Theo May. Local music legends The Dubious Brothers will give a headline performance at 7.30pm.

Entrance will cost £5 for adults, £3 for under-16s and under-fives are free.

On Saturday and Sunday, guests are invited to a traditional cream tea afternoon in the courtyard and garden of Mundens Close from 3pm. Cream teas will cost £4.

For youngsters, on August 29 there will be Kim’z Kidz Pizza Piazza.

Children will have the opportunity to create their own pizzas using homemade dough and fresh toppings in St Mary’s Hall from 10.30am. Tickets cost £5.