The author of popular children’s book series 64 Zoo Lane visited Willows Activity Farm in St Albans for World Book Day.

An Vrombaut read out her stories to a group of children, some of whom had dressed as animals for the event.

The Belgian-born author also took part in arts and crafts activities to bring her book creations to life, and took a tour around the popular Hertfordshire attraction.

Louise Hobbs, senior childcare manager at the Willows Farm nursery said: “We were thrilled to have the author of such a well known series of children’s books visit us on World Book Day.

“An’s stories are about a girl who lives next to a zoo, so it’s fitting for our children who go to nursery next to a farm!”

The 64 Zoo Lane series is based on the adventures of a girl called Lucy, who lives next door to a zoo and is regularly told bedtime stories by the animals who live there.

It was adapted into a BAFTA award-winning BBC show in 1999.