Author visits Somerset town to unveil roads which take their names from his fantasy series

This article is more than 11 years old

This article is more than 11 years old

If you go down to Wincanton in Somerset today you can wander down Peach Pie Street and Treacle Mine Road, named after Sir Terry Pratchett's fantasy series Discworld.

Pratchett visited the town today to unveil the road names at a new housing estate, and was greeted by hundreds of fans – many dressed in costume.

Wincanton was twinned with the city of Ankh-Morpork from the novels in 2002, becoming the first UK town to link with a fictional place.

The builder of the Kingwell Rise development, George Wimpey, asked locals to vote for their favourite road name from a shortlist of 14 suggested by Pratchett.

Pratchett said: "I think it's a lovely idea, even though it makes my head spin to think of the books becoming a little closer to reality.

"And they are nice names, even though I say it myself.

"Personally, I'd pay good money to live somewhere called Treacle Mine Road."

Colin Winder, former mayor of Wincanton, said: "The association with Discworld works extremely well for our town, helping to boost the local economy.

"I even know of three families who moved to Wincanton because of this quirky connection.

"It is wonderful that the roads at Kingwell Rise have been named in this way and it certainly beats the dedications to local dignitaries and village worthies that we usually see."

Pratchett announced in December 2007 that he had been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's disease and has since campaigned to raise awareness of the condition.

He has sold more than 55 million books worldwide and has had his works translated into 33 languages.

Richard Goad, regional sales and marketing director for George Wimpey, said: "With Wincanton's well-established links with Ankh-Morpork it seemed fitting to name the roads at Kingwell Rise after places in Discworld."

• This article was amended on Monday 6 April 2009. Above we said Peace Pie when we should have said Peach Pie. This has been amended.