AS he furiously scribbled his name seemingly 20 times a minute he looked as though his books might be set alight with the friction between pen and paper.

Abbey Mill saw dozens of people queuing up, books at the ready, to meet Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall as he promoted his new book Light and Easy.

“I’m completely overwhelmed by the turn out,” he said. “It’s fantastic; it’s probably the most books I’ve ever done in one sitting! It’s been tremendously busy, lots of people – many of whom live close and some of whom live further afield. Some of our readers have already eaten here. Either way it’s a big thumbs-up.”

It’s a wonder the man didn’t get a repetitive strain injury.