Total sales one for the books

BROWSERS: Ava McDonough with Hannah and Harriet Jacobs were checking out the array of books on offer at the Monster Book Fair on Saturday. PHOTO/BEVAN CONLEY

The Annual Monster Book Fair held in the former Farmers homewares building ended on a high note yesterday, said organiser Marion Davenport.

Rotary Club of Wanganui volunteers assembled over 20,000 books for the sale which opened on Friday morning and ended at 4pm yesterday.

"People were queueing up outside the doors before we opened on Friday and we have made record sales," said Mrs Davenport.

"We haven't added up the Eftpos sales so I don't know what the total is yet.

"But I know we have surpassed last year's total."

She said the building was an ideal venue for the book fair with two entrances and plenty of space for the trestles supplied by Andram, Wanganui Jockey Club and Harrison's Hire.

Despite the high number of sales, there were still plenty of books left over.

Mrs Davenport said that some will be sent to schools in Fiji and others will be stored for next year's sale.

The money raised from the sale will go towards several Rotary projects, including the restoration of the Westmere Walkway and the establishment of the Matipo Community Gardens.