AN international best-selling author has visited a book shop to try his hand at a range of everyday tasks.

Roald Dahl Funny Prize winning author Philip Ardagh, who has penned more than 100 novels, spent a day at White Rose BookCafe, in Thirsk, after the store won a competition run by his publisher, Nosy Crow, to have him visit the store.

The Grunts author Mr Ardagh, who is best known for his Grubtown Tales, was put to work stacking and dusting shelves, shifting boxes, doing office work and as a waiter.

The shop's owner Sue Lake said the author had immediately got into the spirit of the day by learning some Barista skills and officially opening the store's refurbished story room, "livening up a rather dull, wet and windy Tuesday in January".

He also gave a talk to pupils from South Kilvington Primary School, before signing books for them, ahead of visiting Thirsk Community Primary School for a workshop.