BBC Books has reissued seven classic Doctor Who novelisations from the original range by Target Books.

BBC Books has reissued seven classic Doctor Who novelisations from the original range by Target Books.

The "long-out-of-print" books will be made available in digital format for the first time and feature illustrations from the original illustrator.

The series, published by children's imprint Target in the 1970s, was "extremely popular" during its time as "the only way that fans could revisit an episode after it had aired".

The seven reissues feature one title for each Doctor covered on the Target list, including feature illustrations by "iconic" artist Chris Achilleos, who originally illustrated the 1960s and 1970s editions.

The books are: Doctor Who and the Zarbi by Bill Strutton (First Doctor); Doctor Who and the Web of Fear by Terrance Dicks (Second Doctor); Doctor Who and the Dinosaur Invasion by Malcolm Hulke (Third Doctor); Doctor Who and the Genesis of the Daleks by Terrance Dicks (Fourth Doctor); Doctor Who: The Visitation by Eric Saward (Fifth Doctor); Doctor Who: Vengeance on Varos by Philip Martin (Sixth Doctor) and Doctor Who: Battlefield by Marc Platt (Seventh Doctor).

The titles will be published in both physical and digital on 28th April priced £6.99, followed by hardback facsimile editions of the first three Doctor Who novels ever published - Doctor Who and the Daleks by David Whitaker, Doctor Who and the Zarbi by Bill Strutton, Doctor Who and the Crusaders by David Whitaker - on 3rd November, priced £9.99.

BBC Books has also commissioned three new pieces of artwork from Achilleos, for The Visitation, Vengeance on Varos and Battlefield to create a "uniform look" for collectors.

Albert DePetrillo, senior editorial director at BBC Books, said: "The Target novelisations hold a special place in the hearts of Doctor Who fans. When we published our first set of reissues in 2012, the response was overwhelming, and we’re delighted to continue bringing these classic books to a new generation of readers."

Achilleos added: "I am delighted to be back on board after so many years. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, illustrating the jackets in the original old style – it felt just the same, and I am looking forward to signing them for the fans. I'm so pleased that people still want to revisit these books."

BBC Books announced it would be expanding and diversifying its Doctor Who range in January, including "untold histories of other planets and lifeforms" in The Whoniverse.