Bookworms bedded down for a 24-hour readathon at the weekend as part of Letchworth Festival’s fortnight of fun.

David’s Bookshop enlisted a troupe of bright-eyed fiction fiends to fill 15-minute reading slots in their shop bed from 8am on Saturday until the same time the following morning.

David’s Bookshop boss Paul Wallace said: “The event was brilliant – the theme was books that keep you awake at night.

“There were plenty of youngsters taking part and a range of books – including Winnie the Pooh.

“We had the Guy family kick us off, who were also taking part in the event when we ran it 13 years ago.

“We haven’t done it for around seven years so I think people were really pleased that we brought it back.

“I suppose you could say we brought the books out from under the covers...”

The shop also raised around £100 for Book Trust in the process.