CELEBRITY chef James Martin was keeping mum when he dropped in to sign books in York.

The star of Ready, Steady, Cook and Strictly Come Dancing was at Borders bookstore to sign copies of his new book, Desserts, and there queuing up patiently among hundreds of fans was his mum, Sue.

Mrs Martin, from Malton, said she knew her son was on a book signing tour to tie in with his new TV series, Sweet Baby James, and had seen the posters outside so had decided to pop in to surprise him.

She said: "I queued up for about half an hour and it feels quite strange coming in for a signing, but I thought it might be nice to get a couple of the books as presents for other people."

First in line at the store last night was Haxby mum-of-three and James's self-confessed number one fan, Tracy Benton, pictured right.

She said: "I have met James a few times before and he just gets lovelier and lovelier. I am going to see him later in the year on my birthday at the food festival at Castle Howard."

James Martin's book is on sale in hardback from Borders priced £20.