HILARIOUS readings and fun workshops were just some of the most enjoyable parts of an author's visit to a school yesterday.

Children's writer Damian Harvey visited Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School in Lumley Street, Barrow, and passed on his enthusiasm for literature, inspiring youngsters to pick up their pens and get writing.

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Mr Harvey is the author of fun reads such as The Disastrous Dentist and The Awful Astronaut and the whole school took part in themed lessons on how to become an author and how to write books.

The day started with a big assembly before year groups got to spend time with the author, learning about the process of writing a novel and how illustrations are then created to tell the story.

Tracey Needham, librarian at Sacred Heart, said the idea behind the author's visit was to inspire children to try different books and enjoy reading.

She said: "It was great. He started with a whole school assembly and told them a story with actions and he got the children involved.

"With Years Five and Six he was telling them stories and they were learning how he became an author and how books are made.

"He showed them some of his early drafts. It was really interesting.

"The children are going to do some writings.

"Damian has a left a story for them to finish."

During their group session, infant pupils had fun producing a rap called the 'Monster Party' which proved to be a highlight of the day for many.

Over the coming days and weeks, the youngsters will draw on the inspiration from the visit and their imaginations to craft stories in lesson.

Bringing fiction to life is a big theme for Sacred Heart as the school recently held an after school session for Harry Potter Book Night, putting on activities, games and quizzes all about the loved books by JK Rowling.

Mr Harvey, who is from Wales and also wrote An Itch To Scratch and Farmer Finn's Silly Sheep , has visited Barrow before.

He was part of the lineup of authors who took part in the Buzzing About Reading Festival at The Forum in 2015.

Find out more about Damian Harvey here .