Anyone who grew up with the iconic Ladybird books will want to book themselves a place at an exhibition which opens next week at Hitchin’s British Schools Museum.

The distinctive Ladybird format first appeared more than 100 years ago, and the library grew to cover introductions to reading, nature and history, science and engineering and all sorts of subjects in between.

The Queen Street museum has more than 200 Ladybird titles in its collection. A spokesman said: “Ladybird books have played a role in many people lives whether as children, parents, grandparents or teachers. These affordable, pocket sized books covered all topics and the beautiful illustrations and well told stories have fixed in reader’s minds and today conjure up memories from all ages.”

The museum is open on Tuesdays from 10am to 4pm, on Saturdays from 10am to 1pm and on Sundays from 2pm to 5pm.

Find out more at www.britishschoolsmuseum.co.uk.