BOOKWORMS are in for a treat next month when the first Greatham Children’s Literary and Arts Festival opens a new chapter for the village.

The extravaganza, set for Saturday, September 9, from 11am, will be held on the field alongside Greatham Church.

“There aren’t all that many of these to be found anywhere really, so we hope to make a mark, and encourage more reading among children and parents,” said Stephen Saunders, one of the organisers.

An associated book-themed treasure hunt will take competitors around Liss and Petersfield to gather 28 clues. The hunt is free to enter – pick up an entry pack from One Tree Books in Petersfield to be in with a chance of winning.

Prizes worth £100, for the first placed boy and girl, will be drawn on Saturday, September 10.

The treasure hunt can be completed any time from now until 5pm on Friday, September 8, when entries must be handed in to One Tree Books. There will also be prizes for original poems, short stories and illustrations.

The event will include illustration workshops, stories told and read in a teepee, dance workshops, music, painting, face and canvas, performance poets, visiting authors, hot dogs, ice creams and ghost stories around a camp fire if the weather is good, or in a marquee in case it isn’t. Children are also invited to bring a book or two to swap.

“We are supported by One Tree Books, but this is not a commercial event, and other than refreshments, and some of the books, it is free,” Mr Saunders added.

“It’s a debut festival, organised by Trinicitia Vine, a charity committee that includes me and various others. None of us has done anything like this before, so it’s a debut all round.”