A RABBIT whose long ears put him at a disadvantage when seeking employment, is the hero of Mid Devon author Babette Cole's latest book for children, 'James Rabbit and the Giggleberries.'

In fact, “James had such long ears he could not get a job anywhere except for those mean old weasels, The Measly Brothers, who farmed all the red hills there abouts.”

Dame Babette, a patron of Crediton Community Bookshop, will be signing copies of her new book in the Bookshop at 100 High Street on Thursday July 17 from 3.30pm to 4.30pm.

Bookshop manager Dee Lalljee said: “We're so pleased that Dame Babette is able to fit in a book signing for us.”

“Her visit to the Bookshop for Halloween last October was one of the highlights of the year.”

The Community Bookshop's programme of events rolls on with its next event timed to coincide with the Tour of Britain's swing through Devon.

Cycling journalist and author William Fotheringham, who has been covering the Tour de France for The Guardian since 1994, and will be covering the Tour of Britain, will appear at the event in Newton St Cyres Village Hall at 3pm. on September 13.

Fotheringham's recent books include Merckx: Half Man, Half Bike published in March 2012 and a collection of his journalism, Racing Hard - 20 Tumultuous Years In Cycling, published in June 2013.