Drawings by Gruffalo illustrator to be auctioned

Axel Scheffler attended the 10th anniversary of the Jersey Festival of Words in September

Four pictures drawn by the illustrator of The Gruffalo are to be auctioned to raise money to buy books for children.

Axel Scheffler donated the items after attending the tenth anniversary of the Jersey Festival of Words in September.

The colour drawings will be auctioned via Bailiwick Auctions for bidding between 8-15 December.

Organisers of the Jersey Festival of Words said bringing books to families who could not afford them was increasingly important to the festival.

Organisers said the tenth anniversary of the festival had been its most successful and "saw a record number of books gifted to children attending the festival".

Donated second-hand books were given to nursery age children attending the festival's multi-lingual storytelling sessions in Millennium Park, organisers said.

Festival chairwoman Lucy Cotter said: "Being able to gift books to children who might not otherwise have them is one of the most meaningful parts of our work, and Axel's beautiful illustrations will help us go even further.

"We're incredibly grateful for his support and excited to see the difference these funds will make."