Hundreds of fans of comedian Stephen Fry queued in Oxford today to get signed copies of his new book.

Mr Fry visited Waterstone's in Broad Street to sign copies of Stephen Fry in America.

Booksellers at the store said they were delighted to get such a big name for the book signing session between 5pm and 6pm.

Julian Padmore, a member of the sales team, said: "It's a great coup for us to get someone like Stephen Fry here — he's very well known.

"People started queuing up at 3pm, and it wasn't long before they were queuing out of the door — at one point, the queue stretched down Broad Street as far back as Turl Street. Mr Fry seemed to be in a very good mood."

Stephen Fry in America, published by Harper Collins, is being sold by Waterstone's in Oxford for a discounted £9.99, but usually costs £20.

The book, about Mr Fry's drive around the United States, accompanies a six-part BBC1 series to be screened later this autumn.