A FOOTY-MAD wordsmith introduced primary pupils to the love of poetry last week.

National Reading Hero and renowned poet Paul Cookson entertained children at Darlington’s Haughton Academy when he visited for the afternoon recently.

As well as having more than 60 titles to his name, Mr Cookson is the poet in residence for the National Football Museum and the appointed Poet Laureate for rock band Slade.

He led workshops at the school, part of Darlington’s Education Village, as part of the Northern Children’s Book Festival.

Year Sevens were invited to work with the poet, responsible for collections including Pants on Fire, The Truth About Teachers and I’d Rather be a Footballer.

Karen Fantarrow, from the Education Village, said: “I jumped at the chance to have Paul in school because I’ve seen his sessions before and he is so entertaining.

“Even those who claim to not like poetry come out having changed their minds.

“I thought this would be an excellent opportunity to welcome Year Sevens to Haughton Academy and they had an amazing afternoon.

“They described him as awesome, dead funny and brilliant.”

For more information, visit paulcooksonpoet.co.uk.