Broadcasting legend Sir David Attenborough at his book signing at Jarrolds with his co-author, Errol Fuller, of the book called Drawn From Paradise. Picture: Denise Bradley

The queue bursting out of Jarrold’s department store and down London Street was proof that animal magic is still very much alive.

Natural history fans came from all over the region this afternoon to buy Sir David Attenborough’s latest book, Drawn from Paradise, and have it signed by the great man himself.

Jarrold’s spokesman Carole Slaughter said: “He is so popular. The first person got here at 9am. We were due to start signing at 3.30pm but got under way earlier because of all the fans queuing in the rain.”

Famed for iconic television series such as Life on Earth, which featured his unforgettable encounter with gorillas, Sir David’s latest book is described as a “journey through the cultural history of the birds of paradise, one of the most extravagant and intriguing families of birds”.

The fans waiting for Sir David and his co-author Errol Fuller spanned the generations from pensioners to young children.

Karen Ord, of Newmarket Road, Norwich, said: “This is a Christmas present for my husband Ian. We have got all his books and the whole family are fans.”

Felicity Harvey, 23, an Australian living in Norwich, was excited about meeting Sir David for a second time. She said: “When I was 16 I had a book signed by him at a Sydney hotel.”

Nicola Edelsten, of Norwich, had a family reason for buying the book. Her husband Anthony’s ancestor John Gould, an ornithologist, is mentioned in it.