YOUNGSTERS at a Durham school have been learning the art of storytelling from a popular author.

Bestselling children’s author Ross Welford visited Framwellgate School Durham with advice for budding writers.

Cullercoats born Welford, best known for his hit books Time Travelling with a Hamster and The 1,000-Year-Old Boy, shared tips on developing characters and plots with pupils who created their own story featuring a wolf called Gary and his search for a magic apple.

The visit was part of a reading programme for new year seven pupils, all of whom received a copy of The 1,000-Year-Old Boy together and learning materials themed around the story.

The programme was created to help bridge the gap between leaving primary and starting secondary school when there is often a dip in literacy levels during the transition. The project funded by County Durham Housing Group– which made a £500 group grant towards it– local councillors and money raised by the school.

County Durham Housing Group Funding Officer, Damian Pearson, said: “It was great to see the pupils engage so much with Ross. He had loads of great advice for their writing and really demonstrated how to create a good story; complete with Gary the wolf. I think it’s an experience that will stay with them for a long time.Projects like this have a direct impact, not only on the education of the pupils, but on their wider life too.”

Cllr Mark Wilkes said: “Councillor Simmons and I are delighted that we have been able to assist in promoting reading. Meeting the author of a book you have read can really inspire young people. Hopefully this project will have a long term positive impact on all the students who had the opportunity to join in.”

Dr Amy Smith, head of year seven, said “During the transition process, students can become anxious about making new friends and getting to know a new place. The 1,000-Year-Old Boy provided us with the perfect starting point for discussions about this topic, and students learnt a lot from the central character's determination to find a new friendship group."

Full details of the group grant scheme visit countydurhamhousinggroup.co.uk/groupgrant, call 0191-3497777 or email groupgrant@cdhg.co.uk