BESTSELLING children's author Cathy Cassidy will talk to youngsters about her latest book and encouraging them to read when she visits the region.

She will meet about 200 school pupils when she visits the pre-booked event at the Town Hall Theatre in Hartlepool on Monday.

Pupils from primary schools in the town including Hart, Lynnfield, St Cuthbert's and St Peter's Elwick, and secondary schools including High Tunstall and St Hild's, will meet the author.

The talk has been organised by Hartlepool's Libraries in the latest of their author visits for schools.

Ms Cassidy – one of the UK’s top-selling children’s authors and has twice won the ‘Queen of Teen’ Award – will be talking to the young people about her latest book ‘Broken Heart Club’ and encouraging them in their own reading and writing.

Before becoming a full-time writer she was an art teacher, magazine editor and agony aunt, working at Shout magazine and Jackie magazine.

Heather Bellwood, Hartlepool Council’s Children’s and Outreach Librarian, said: “Her last visit back in 2014 went down a storm.

“She is an utterly engaging writer and has earned a big following among children. Hearing her talk about her work and read from her books is sure to be a wonderful experience for the young people.”