Hartfield hosts its first children's book festival

Hartfield Storyfest hosts creative workshops and storytelling events

The first children's book festival to be held at the home of Winnie the Pooh in East Sussex is under way.

Storyfest in Hartfield is hosting children's authors and illustrators on Saturday and Sunday.

The village, in which AA Milne lived, is close to Ashdown Forest where he set his tales about the honey-loving bear.

The three mothers who created the festival won a £5,000 prize for their idea from the P&G Champion Mums' Foundation.

'Reluctant readers'

One of the event's founders, Emma Stillwell, said: "Winning the bursary has enabled us to bring some fantastic authors and illustrators to Storyfest to share their work and ideas with the children."

The two-day event includes creative workshops, storytelling and dressing up tents as well as a Mad Hatters Tea Party and market stalls.

Authors attending the festival include Liz Pichon from Brighton who won the Roald Dahl Funny Prize in 2011.

Another organiser, Buff Baughan, said: "In Storyfest we are aiming to provide our avid bookworms with access to their favourite authors and illustrators, and also create a vital opportunity to hook in reluctant readers."