Christmas is rapidly approaching now and many will still be on the lookout for some last-minute presents to buy for family and friends. 

A trip to your local bookshop is always a great place to find stocking fillers or bigger presents, especially for the bibliophiles in your life. 

For those who are looking to try something new, this list of local authors and their notable works could be the ideal place to look for Christmas presents this year. 

1. The Carhullan Army, Sarah Hall

Written by critically-acclaimed novelist and short story writer Sarah Hall, The Carhullan Army tells the story of a group of rebel women based in the far north of Cumbria, who have escaped The Authority's repressive regime and formed their own militia. The Carlisle-born author's work has drawn comparisons with Margaret Attwood's The Handmaid's Tale.

2. The Beatles: The Authorised Biography, Hunter Davies

What better time to read The Beatles' only authorised biography, following the release of Now and Then earlier this year? The book is written by Hunter Davies, who spent his childhood living in Carlisle, and goes in depth into the band's career up until early 1968.

3. The Puppet Show, M.W Craven

Carlisle-born crime writer M.W Craven has written a number of exhilarating novels including the Washington Poe series and the DI Avison Fluke series. The Puppet Show tells the story of a serial killer who is burning people alive in the Lake District's prehistoric stone circles.

4. One Last Waltz, Peter Scholes

One Last Waltz is the fourth book of Carlisle's Peter Scholes and is set in a fictional old folks’ home near Brampton. It touches on life in the county and features Carlisle United, while 20 per cent of the proceeds will go to the Alzheimer’s Society.

5. The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Beatrix Potter

It would be impossible not to include Beatrix Potter in this list given her love for the Lake District. The Tale of Peter Rabbit remains one of the best-selling children's books of all time and could be a perfect gift for any young members of the family.