SIDCUP is celebrating the knighthood of illustrator and author Quentin Blake with a series of special events.

Sir Quentin, 80, was born in the town in 1932 and is best known for his instantly recognisable illustrations of many of Roald Dahl’s classic books.

The former Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School pupil featured in the New Year’s Honours list more than 60 years after his work first appeared in the satirical magazine Punch at the age of 16.

He went on to illustrate almost 300 books with writers such as John Yeoman, Joan Aiken and Michael Rosen and Sir Quentin also worked on more than 150 episodes of hit children's show Jackanory.

He will visit Sidcup library in Hadlow Road on June 25 at 7.30pm to give a talk about his book Beyond the Page followed by a Q&A session and book-signing.

The work is an account of Sir Quentin’s projects since 2000, describing his working processes, collaborators, travels, and many projects and commissions.

There will also be an introduction to the world of book illustration at the library with Lyn Stone, children’s book illustrator, on June 26 from 6.30pm to 8.00pm costing £2.

A Quentin Blake storytime for children aged three to seven is a free event on July 2 at 4pm and Myths, Mystery and Magic is a free creative writing workshop for children and young adults with author Paul Bryers on July 3 at 4pm.

Tickets for all events are available from Sidcup library. For more details phone 020 8303 7777 (option 4), e-mail: libraries@bexley.gov.uk or visit bexley.gov.uk