BEST-SELLING science fiction and fantasy author Terry Pratchett will be at Trowbridge Museum next January 31 to celebrate the opening of a new exhibition.

Museum curator Clare Lyall, from Frome, has been working at the town's museum for just three months, and already she has come up with an entirely new exhibition.

The exhibition, Into the Unknown The World of Witches, Wizards, Magic and Myths, will explore ancient myths, magic and traditional folklore.

It will include modern elements such as crop circles and UFO sightings. There will be a literary section which will contain fantasy and science fiction books.

Mrs Lyall said: "People in this area seem really interested in the subject. Trowbridge has a lot to do with folklore and it's definitely big on crop circles."

Wiltshire-based Terry Pratchett's stories, such as Carpe Jugulum and Witches Abroad, are set in fantastic worlds.

Mrs Lyall, who has worked in museums for the past ten years, is pleased to be working in Trowbridge.

She said: "I'm really enjoying it here. It's an excellent museum. There are so many different objects and so many different aspects to it. Trowbridge has a lot of history."

Trowbridge Museum has around 21,000 visitors each year, with Wiltshire school groups paying regular visits.

Mrs Lyall said: "Local people support the museum very much. People tend to bring their friends and their visitors. They get the chance to look at old photographs and learn about the area's history."