RED Lion Books in Colchester is expected to sell out fast of the final Sir Terry Pratchett novel–and owner Peter Donaldson is wellplaced to know.

Not only does Mr Donaldson run the High Street book shop, but he also met the iconic writer a number of times.

Mr Donaldson ordered 20 advance order copies of the Shepherd’s Crown.

It was published yesterday, six months after Sir Terry died, aged 66, after suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease.

Mr Donaldson said: “He originally came to the book shop back in the Eighties when he only had a few books to his name.

“We are great fans of him in the shop and as he became more and more famous he remembered us as the people who invited him before he was established.”

“He came back another four times and always got an enormously great response to visits.

“Out of the 30 shops, he said we are in the top three in terms of the number of people who came to see him.”

The final novel by Sir Terry is the 41st novel in his Discworld series and went on sale in the UK and Commonwealth at midnight.

Shops opened at midnight and included Waterstones in Piccadilly where the author’s friend Rob Wilkins read an extract to 200 ticketholders.

Mr Donaldson said: “We are in danger of running out today and I have already put in an order for some more.”