SNOW fell as pupils listened to a “magical” reading of an award-winning children author’s new book yesterday.

Teesdale author and former Children’s Laureate Anne Fine held a special reading for the pupils of Green Lane Primary School, in Barnard Castle, on the publication day of her new children’s book Let It Snow!

Inspired by the new Waitrose Christmas advert, which was filmed at The Tan Hill pub, in North Yorkshire, the illustrated children’s book tells the story of two families who get caught in a snowstorm on Christmas Eve and how the cope with it.

And more than 70 children aged between four and six years old listened intently to Mrs Fine’s reading, along with a few of her other existing stories.

Acting headteacher, Nic Linsley, said: “It was wonderful. She came in and read a few of her early books first and then she introduced her surprise book - her new book - that has just been launched which was absolutely fantastic.

“The children really related to it and snow started to fall just as she finished reading with many of the children asking if it was magic.”

The book costs £6.99 and is now available in all Waitrose shops, Waterstones and selected independent book retailers.