IN THE run up to Hallowe’en there is plenty of activities for children and families to do during the October half term that include mess and muck and even some magic potions.

These events are all part of the new children’s and teen festival Gobbledeebook which is taking place this October half term in St Mary’s Centre, Chester.

Author Pete Johnson, will take children on a spooky adventure as they learn to fly, walk through walls and make objects move at Spook School on Thursday, October 28 at 11.30am.

If you want to get your hands dirty then stick around and join in the event at 3pm on October 28 as it’s time to make magic potions with dragons eyeballs, troll scabs and witches hair with book character Oliver Moon, don’t forget to come dressed as a witch or a wizard!

Staying with the theme of mess and muck, on Monday, October 25, Steve Hartley is in Chester armed with his stories of his character Danny Baker and his world records in giant bogeys, loudest armpit farts and man eating midges. This will be pure fun for the children both young and old.

Creator of the troublesome trolls Tracey Corderoy will delight children on Friday, October 29 when she introduces them to her characters The Grunt and the Grouch.

These are two of the most disgusting and badly-behaved trolls in the world - and the most fun! They keep bogeys and ear wax in jars, they never ever have a bath, and they're always frightening old ladies, even if they don’t mean to.

To celebrate the Grunt and the Grouch event, the festival has a fantastic colouring competition with five goody bags of Tiger Press books to give away.

Just visit www.gobbledeebook.co.uk site and visit the competition section, download the picture of the Grunt and Grouch to be coloured in and send to Chester Festivals, 1st Floor, West Wing Offices, Station Road, Chester, CH1 3NT.

The five winners will be announced at the event on Friday, October 29.

Tickets to all events only cost £1 per child per event with grown ups allowed in for free, for more information and to book tickets visit www.gobbledeebook.com or call 0845 2417868 or visit the Visitor Information Centre by the Town Hall.