EXCITED pupils met with well-known children’s author Virginia Bergin as she spent the afternoon at a Thornbury school.

Year 7 students at The Castle School were given tips by the author as part of their plan to produce their own story books.

As part of their ‘Castle Challenge’ curriculum, all 250 of the school’s Year 7 pupils will be creating a story for younger students which they make into a book and read to primary school classes.

Author of ‘The Rain’ and newly-published ‘The Storm’, Virginia read from her own book and shared her tips for good storytelling before meeting some of the students individually.

Deputy headteacher Andy Bethell said “Developing a love of reading and writing is arguably the most important aspect of education, and there is no better way than learning first-hand from a professional writer.

“The hall was full of laughter as Virginia shared the comic moments in her stories, and our students were lucky to have this opportunity. I suspect many of them are already reading Virginia’s stories!”