AN award winning author visited year seven students at Darwen Vale High School to deliver a session on how to be a successful writer.

Billy Bob Buttons, also known as Edward Trayer, was taking part in the Blackburn Road school's Super Enrichment Days.

He has written 13 children's novels including the Rubery Book Award finalist Felicity Brady and the Wizard's Bookshop.

A spokeswoman for the school said: "As the successful author of many children's books for toddlers to teenagers, he delivered an excellent session on how to be a successful writer.

"He offered lots of useful advice regarding firstly, deciding on an audience, the stages of planning, and then the process of starting with a blank sheet of paper through to the book landing on the bookshop shelf.

"Edward read the opening chapter of his popular book and winner of the 2014 UK People's Book Prize, 'I think I Murdered Miss', the adventure of Simon Spittle and his friend Isabella. The students then had opportunity to purchase signed copies of his books."

All year six pupils starting at Darwen Vale in September have also been given a signed copy of ' I think I Murdered Miss' to read over the summer in preparation for some activities in the autumn term when Billy Bob Buttons will back to deliver sessions on story writing and becoming an author.