Exeter's role in making books accessible remembered with new vending machine

Writer Michael Morpurgo - who owns a farm in Devon - today opened a new first-of-its kind Penguin book vending machine at Exeter's St David's Station.

It's the place where in 1934 company founder Sir Allen Lane first came up with the idea of selling stories as paperbacks - while visiting Devon resident Agatha Christie.

Michael says that vision is something that opened up the literary world for those on lower incomes.

The writer today spent time with youngsters who are fans of his books - talking to them and signing autographs.

Around 200 people have so far bought books from the vending machine, with some of the profits going to the Exeter UNESCO City of Literature

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