IT is a year ago this month since York’s new-look Waterstones opened in Coney Street, following its move from High Ousegate.

To mark the first birthday, a host of best-selling authors will be visiting the store over the next month: including crime writer John Connolly and Alexander McCall Smith, creator of the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency.

Popular crime writer Connolly will be in-store from 1pm on April 16 to sign copies of his latest Detective Charlie Parker mystery A Song of Shadows.

The following day there will be an evening event with S J Watson from 7pm who will be discussing his new bestseller, Second Life.

On April 21 Patrick Gale will be in the store from 7pm to discuss his new novel A Place Called Winter and on April 23 juice guru Joe Cross will sign copies of his health guide Reboot With Joe: Fully Charged from 12.30pm.

On Saturday April 25 - almost exactly a year to the day since the new store opened - there will be a day of children’s activities, including magicians and face-painting.

And the birthday celebrations will culminate on April 29 when novelist Alexander McCall Smith will appear at a special event hosted by Waterstones at St Peter’s School. From 7pm the author will discuss his work, including his new book, Fatty O’Leary’s Dinner Party, plus the latest addition to the Isabel Dalhousie series, The Novel Habits of Happiness.

There will also be the chance to catch up with the latest from Mma Ramotswe in her new adventure The Handsome Man’s De Luxe Café.

“We’ve been delighted with the response we’ve had from local book lovers since we opened our new bookshop last year,” said store manager Jamie Hanslip. “The support from the local community has been fantastic. It’s a privilege to be able to give our customers the opportunity to meet so many brilliant authors as we celebrate our first anniversary. It’s our way of saying thank you.”

Tickets for all events are available from Waterstones, York. Tickets to see SJ Watson and Patrick Gale are £3, tickets for the Alexander McCall Smith event £5 (or £4 with a Waterstones loyalty card). For more information call 01904 620784.