Young bookworms visiting the children's department of an Oxford bookshop were given a pleasant surprise when they received 20 per cent off everything.

Waterstone's managing director Steve Knott celebrated the £100,000 refurbishment of the Broad Street store by visiting the shop along with regional manager Tim Watson.

Waterstone's regional manager Tim Watson

Local children's authors Ted Dewan, shortlisted for this year's Blue Peter award, and Helen Cooper, winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal and the Smarties Prize, held story-telling sessions.

Simon Schama, author of History of Britain, which was turned into a TV series, cut the ribbon at the official re-opening ceremony before giving a lecture to an audience of about 600 at the Oxford Town Hall.

Other authors who have dropped in to see the new-look store so far include chef Raymond Blanc, writer Will Self, artist Korky Paul and former British boxer Sir Henry Cooper.