Young cricketers got the chance to meet their idol Ben Stokes as the England all-rounder returned home to sign copies of his new autobiography Firestarter.

Stokes, 25, grew up in Cockermouth and on Saturday made an appearance in The New Bookshop in Main Street to promote his latest venture.

The book documents his career to date, memories of living in Cockermouth and how the area shaped his standout England performances.

During the signing the Durham player spoke to the News & Star about what it was like to be back in Cockermouth.

He said: "It's really good to be back home. I don't often get to come back here, time is taken up pretty much by cricket back in Durham or wherever I am in the world.

"I've seen a few old teachers who used to tell me off at school. So it's been good to get back into where I grew up and see how it's transformed after the few disastrous things that Cockermouth went through with the floods."

Stokes admitted the book project was something he'd really had fun doing.

"I enjoyed speaking about things from when I was a child and reliving memories that I've only really remembered from doing this book. So yeah I've enjoyed it," he added.

People were queuing right along the full length of the shop for the chance to meet their cricketing hero.

Among them was 16-year-old Charlie Minshaw from Whitehaven. He said: "I'm a batsman and wicket-keeper for Whitehaven and Ben is one of my role models.

"I've met him before but this has been really good and I'm going to sit down and read his book now.

Reegan Scott, 10, from Cockermouth, said: "Ben is a hero of mine. He's a really good batsman and I'm looking forward to reading his book."

Sam Holt, 11, from Workington, has a special connection with Stokes as he moved to west Cumbria from New Zealand as a youngster.

"I met him about seven years ago when we lived in New Zealand and he's proven to be a big inspiration for me," he said.

A full shop put a smile on the face of owner Catherine Hetherington who'd only managed to reopen about one week ago after her business was flooded out during Storm Desmond.

She said: "It's lovely to see so many people in here, especially a lot of keen cricket fans.

"Our opening was just a coincidence with the release of Ben's book but it's been a really big boost."