YOUNGSTERS at a primary school met an ex-pupil who has become children’s author as they commemorated World Book Day.

St Mary’s RC Primary School, in Blackhill, near Consett, welcomed back Neil Sullivan, who brought in his first book, Ollie and Nina and Daft Doggie Doings, for a special assembly.

Mr Sullivan, 55, from Tantobie, whose granddaughter, Chloe, now goes to the school, visited on World Book Day, when instead of coming in as literary characters, pupils came in dressed as words.

He said: “For a sideline, for my own pleasure, I have been writing storyboards about my dogs. I sent it to a publisher and they loved it.

“I explained to the children that they were not done in a studio, but at my kitchen table.

“I want them to know that this sort of thing is attainable.”