DOZENS of budding young writers have been inspired to put pen to paper after a top children's author paid a visit to their school.

Jack Trelawny, who wrote the popular Kernowland fantasy adventure series, entertained youngsters at Bancroft's Prep School with a talk on his life and work.

Children at the school, in Woodford Green, were also given useful hints and tips on how to write their own work by the author, who has just had the sixth book in the popular series The Colosseum of Dread published.

Peter Hough, 10, said: "The books he writes seem to be more than mere adventure stories.

"There was real suspense in the chapters he read out.

"I want to write my own cliff-hangers now too."

Tom Draper, 10, was equally inspired. He said: "He really inspired me. I am definitely going to start writing my own book after that visit."

School spokeswoman Karen Rogers said: "He told them how he gets his ideas and thinks up the exciting plots of his Kernowland books.

"He also read them extracts from his stories which left them eager to read more for themselves.

"Mr Trelawny is a very busy author. He said that his aim is to give the children 'edutainment' and to create excitement about learning in his young audience.

"He certainly did this at Bancroft's where there was a real buzz amongst our 220 pupils."

Mr Trelawny will be visiting the Village Bookshop in Woodford Green on Saturday December 12 from 10am to 11.30am.