BILLIE Piper told of her disappointment at having to leave a book signing while scores of young fans still queued for her autograph.

Nearly a hundred fans were left devastated and in tears after they were turned away from seeing their idol in Swindon on Tuesday night.

The Doctor Who star returned to her hometown to sign copies of her new book Growing Pains at the Asda Wal-Mart in the Orbital Shopping Park.

Queues started forming three hours before the 5pm signing and stretched far beyond the door, as hundreds piled in for a glimpse of the 24-year-old.

But shortly after 7pm, staff at the store shut the doors and told youngsters and their parents they would not get to see the actress.

Store training coordinator Sue Page said Billie told staff how disappointed she was not to have seen all the fans, but had already gone well over the scheduled hour.

"She was meant to be here only between 5pm and 6pm, but she didn't finish signing until gone eight o'clock.

"Obviously, there were a few disgruntled people and we apologise," she said.

Honda worker Derek Dabner, 36, of Valleyside, Kingshill, had taken his six-year-old daughter Grace, only to be turned away after two hours in the freezing cold.

"I told them we had bought a book already and they can't just do that and Grace started crying because she knew she wasn't going to meet her.

"It's disgusting, because those were her fans out there."

Heartbroken Amanda Horler, 15, of Griffins Close, Stratton St Margaret, had waited over two hours with her mum Suzette, 49.

"My dad won the book for me in a competition on BBC Radio Swindon and I was really looking forward to going and seeing Billie and having my picture taken with her," said Amanda through a stream of tears. Her mother added: "She so wanted to meet her. I feel sorry for the kids, because they've been waiting for ages. It's not right."

Sharon Buchanan, 35, and her four-year-old son Kieran were in line outside for over an hour and were some of the first to be told to leave.

"He's a complete Doctor Who fan, so that's why we're here," she said. "There's a lot of upset and it's ridiculous."

Kay Howe, 40, of Moresby Close, Westlea, had taken their seven-year-old daughter Emma to meet Billie.

"I'm very disappointed," said Mrs Howe. "The little one watches Doctor Who and it was the first famous person she was ever going to meet."