AN author of popular children's fiction will visit a town's libraries to entertain more than 200 children.

Tom Palmer, author of the popular children's series Football Academy and Foul Play will visit Grove Hill, North Ormesby and Berwick Hills libraries on Monday, January 30, to promote National Libraries Day on Saturday, February 4.

Mr Palmer, from Leeds, will play his reading game, which is part-football quiz and part penalty shoot-out featuring a large inflatable goal and a library-friendly ball.

To mark the national event, a competition is being held for readers of all ages who have to write, in fewer than 500 words, what their library means to them.

The competition is in four age categories -under-fours, five to 12, 13 to 16 and over 17 -with entries closing on Monday, January 30.

The winning efforts will receive a behind-the-scenes tour of the 100-year-old Central Library, in Middlesbrough, on National Libraries Day, tea and cakes in the reference library, access to the non-public historic collection and a goody bag.

Middlesbrough's National Reading Day competition entries can be handed in to a local library or emailed to jessica_christie@middlesbrough. gov. uk Grove Hill and North Ormesby libraries are closing under plans to save £13.8m in the next few financial years.