KNIFE crime and bullying were the topics of the day when a teen author stopped by at Ilford Central Library.

As part of the Redbridge Book and Media Festival, Anthony McGowan met with a group of young book worms to discuss his current novel 'The Knife That Killed Me.'

The author, who grew up in Leeds, set his grim tale in a secondary school, exploring issues of bullying and knife crime which have become more relevant today than ever before.

Talking to an audience of youngsters, Mr McGowan said that teen culture has changed since his time at school.

He added: "In the 1970's kids just didn't carry knives, It wasn't a cool thing to do."

"In all the fights you'd get a black eye or a bloody nose or a kick in the goolies or whatever, and you'd be humiliated but you didn't get killed. Whereas now, because kids have just started carrying knives, all violence is potentially lethal."

Mr McGowan's previous books for children and teenagers include 'Hellbent,' the tale of a boy's journey through hell and 'Henry Tumour,' the story of a boy suffering with cancer.

Speaking of his time at school, Mr McGowan said: "I got bullied for being the posh, brainy kid but what saved me was I was quite tall. I was about the same height as I am now when I was 13."

He added: "I had a really weird experience at my school.

"It was this terrifying, exciting, scary place but it didn't drag me down. I kind of floated above it."