LOCAL history authors will be joining the Museum Shop Sunday event in Malmesbury to sign copies of their new books.

The open day at the Athelstan Museum in Cross Hayes this Sunday is part of a national event to raise the profile of shop museums.

The visiting writers include Bill Reed, author of The True Murder of Harry Neil, David Witt, author of The Moravians in Malmesbury, and Ron Bartholomew, author of Garsdon Manor.

Local artists will also be displaying their work, including a picture of the Hobbes Map, by Susan Rollings.

Local children can take part in workshops, and the museum itself will be open to visitors.

The event runs from 10.30am till 3.30pm and this year is the second time the Athelstan Museum has taken part.

Chairman Sharon Nolan said: "It's to highlight the work of the shop, and the things of local interest you can buy.

"We did it last year, and it was very successful. It brought a lot of people in ."