The UK and Ireland's celebration of World Book Day occurs on March 7, with an hour of livestreamed short talks from famous authors such as Liz Pichon ("The Brilliant World of Tom Gates"), Cathy Cassidy ("The Chocolate Box Girls"), Anthony Horowitz ("Alex Rider") and more starting at 11am GMT.

Also included are "Codex" and "Time Team" presenter Tony Robinson, "Horrid Henry" author Francesca Simon, and a collection of artists and illustrators in Guy Parker-Rees, Lauren Child, Shirley Hughes and Rachel Bright.

Viewers are asked to supply the World Book Day website with their email address as part of the registration process, after which they will be able to log in and view the webcast.

A recording of the show will then be posted to the World Book Day site on March 8.

The UK holds its World Book Day early in March in order to avoid a clash with Easter school holidays; UNESCO's international World Book Day then follows on April 23.