DOZENS of people queued to meet Yorkshire author and former schools inspector Gervase Phinn, as he signed copies of his new book in York.

The author, originally from Rotherham, was signing his new book Out Of The Woods But Not Over The Hill – a collection of 60 years’ of family life, in schools, writing and public speaking.

Chris Price, manager of the WH Smith Coney Street branch, said: “We sold between 30 and 50 books, and Gervase was full of life.

“He was here for two hours and had a constant queue of people, but still found time to chat with everyone.

“Customers were laughing all the way through the event, and he was comparing his book to Jordan’s latest, and guessing who customers were getting it signed for.”