Children might be spending more and more time on the internet but there is still nothing like a good book.

Up to 1,500 bookworms, at least half of them under the age of 16, formed huge queues outside Ottakar's bookstore in Montague Street, Worthing, on Friday night and Saturday.

The crowds were evenly split between book-signings by busty Brighton model Jordan and children's laureate Jacqueline Wilson.

The massive turnouts were seen as proof that, despite the relentless growth of hi-tech entertainment, old-fashioned book-reading is enjoying a resurgence thanks to the likes of Harry Potter author JK Rowling.

On Friday police were forced to hold back screaming crowds amid fears that young children might be caught up in the crush to meet Jordan, who was in town to sign her new autobiography Katie Price: A Whole New World.

The event attracted about 700 people, some of whom queued for hours to get a glimpse of the model who had been forced to postpone a visit last month because of illness.

Second in the queue was Kim Foster, 27, of Tower Road, Lancing, and her two children, Tiffany, nine, and Candice, six, who waited patiently for three-and-a-half hours.

Kim said: "We have always liked her. I think she's great. But my husband won't let me put up any posters of her."

On Saturday, an enthusiastic crowd of more than 500 young people turned up to meet Jacqueline Wilson. The children's laureate, who has written 30 books at an average rate of two per year, spent five hours signing copies of her new book, Candy Floss, for fans who had been queueing up since 8.30am.

Tickets for the event, which featured a carousel and candy floss stall in nearby Montague Place, sold out weeks in advance. Jacqueline began by signing the plaster cast of Chloe Pannell, ten, who was on crutches after breaking her ankle.

Gary Deane, assistant manager of Ottakar's, said: "The popularity of the events shows books are still a big attraction, despite the growth of the internet.

Children are still buying plenty of books.

"Jacqueline is hugely important in children's fiction and she is the most borrowed author of all children's writers in public libraries. She is a great role model for children too.

"Her fans and followers read every single one of her books and all of them are based on real family issues. It has been a really exciting weekend and has created a big buzz."