Acclaimed author Cressida Cowell will officially open the children's department at the Foyles book store in Birmingham later this year.

The news comes as the family-owned chain releases a CGI of how its new store at Grand Central will look and announces the appointment of its general manager.

Along with dozens of other retailers, Foyles is currently putting the finishing touches to its new outlet at the Grand Central shopping centre which is due to open on September 24.

Mrs Cowell is behind the popular How to Train Your Dragon series of books which has been turned into a film by the DreamWorks Animation studio.

She will open the children's department on October 17 by giving local youngsters a talk about the last book in the series, called How to Fight a Dragon's Fury.

The above CGI also gives an indication of how the new 4,300 sq ft store will look.

It is the sixth in the company's group and only its second outside of the capital after launching in Bristol in 2011.

Finally, Steven Harmon has been appointed as manager for the new store.

Mr Harmon has considerable retail experience including spells with fashion chain Superdry, shoe group Hotter and most recently the stationery specialist Blott.

He will report to and work closely with retail operations director Siôn Hamilton.

Chief executive Paul Currie said: "Our new store at Grand Central Birmingham will showcase our vision of what excellent, customer-centered service can be.

"We will be launching a number of exciting new initiatives embracing the core values of Foyles heritage. We look forward to welcoming new Foyles customers in the Midlands next month."

Pictures: Inside Grand Central two months before opening