CHILDREN from a Weymouth school got tips on how to be top writers from children’s writer Ali Sparkes.

The Southampton-based author of children’s adventures including The Shapeshifter series and Monster Makers visited St John’s Primary School in Weymouth yesterday to inspire the children to get involved in writing and to open their new library.

Literacy co-ordinator at the school Joanne Smith said the children had been really excited.

She said: “Reading is on the school development plan. We moved the library to a new area and got new books and furniture. We want to raise the profile of reading at the school.”

She added: “The children have been really responsive and have been really enjoying it.”

Ali Sparkes gave two talks to the children about how she got into the industry and how she had to battle to get her first book published, before opening the new facility.

The library has been revamped and there is now a reading area for younger children too.

Mrs Smith said: “The children really loved it. It’s nice for them to meet a real life author.”