Okehampton’s bookshop Dogberry and Finch won the best window display competition as part of the somewhat reduced carnival celebrations on Saturday (October 15).

The window featured an under-water scene from children’s author Sam Usher’s most recent book.

Dogberry and Finch owner Kate McCloskey said: ‘I’m very pleased and grateful to all the carnival team. Sam painted it in a day. It’s the first time I’ve had an illustrator do a window for me and it was great fun. It’s nice to see people walk along the street and do a double take.’

Ms McCloskey said Mr Usher approached her as he wished to decorate a few book shop windows while he was visiting his family, who live in Devon.

Mr Usher has also worked with other well-known children’s authors including Michael Morpurgo, author of War Horse, who runs a children’s farm in Iddesleigh.