Regent book sale proves another page-turner

Christchurch couple Trevor and Lorraine Thompson know there's something special about Dunedin's annual Star Regent Theatre 24-Hour Book Sale that keeps drawing book lovers back.

The Thompsons are well qualified to discuss the sale's appeal - they were back in Dunedin at the weekend to attend the 36th event, the fourth time they had driven south to do so.

They were among thousands of people who swarmed through the latest sale, and were still at the theatre when the sale ended at noon on Saturday.

This year they bought about 70 books between them, similar to last year's total.

Mr Thompson (70) said they were attracted by "the variety and the number'' of books available.

They also enjoyed being able to browse through the books in a leisurely way, "over a period of hours'', without having to worry about a shop shutting at 5.30pm.

And, of the Regent Theatre venue, "it's warm, it's sheltered, it's huge, it's good fun'', he said.

"We certainly look forward to it each year,'' Mrs Thompson said.

Visiting the sale was part of a wider trip to Dunedin.

They stayed in a motel for three nights, before heading back to Christchurch yesterday.

Mrs Thompson (60) said Dunedin itself was also a major attraction for them and it was "fantastic'' to be back.

They enjoyed its vibrant central-city shopping and dining precinct, which offered them a break from their home city, which was still being repaired after the earthquakes.

"We're really enjoying being in a city that's functioning, that's still got streets with shops and everything in the city centre,'' she said.

Book sale organiser Alison Cunningham said several other people also had travelled a long way to attend the latest sale, including some from Auckland, and at least one person from Melbourne.

She was "very happy'' the latest sale had raised $70,260 for the Regent, up several hundred dollars on last year's sale, which raised just under $70,000.

This was the sixth sale she had co-ordinated.

The event faced growing competition, including from other book sales and other activities, including weekend music competitions and mid-year university examinations.

The public had again responded positively to it and she praised the consistently high level of the musical performances, co-ordinated by Dunedin singer-songwriter Dave Coleclough.

Among the many musicians volunteering their time was professional group the Oxo Cubans.

One of the sale's biggest attractions was the Regent Theatre itself, which the community was keen to support, she said.

"I think people love the theatre.''