A PANEL of young people from across the county unveiled their shortlist for the Lancashire Book of the Year award.

The process began with 58 books submitted by publishers to the county council, from which schoolchildren have drawn a shortlist of 12.

Launched in 1987, it was the first regional award for children’s books to be established in the UK and allows a group of 13 to 14-year-old judges from 24 high schools to select their favourite work of fiction.

The first ever winner was His Dark Materials author Philip Pullman for The Ruby in the Smoke, while previous recipients include much-loved children’s authors Anthony Horowitz and Malorie Blackman.

Lancashire County Council cabinet member for community and cultural services Peter Buckley, said: “A love of reading that can stay with you for the rest of your life begins with being introduced to books at a young age.

“It’s superb to see so many young people so actively involved in choosing the books to go forward, and clearly getting so much pleasure from books.”

The winner will be announced on July 3.

The shortlisted authors and books

Neal Shusterman - Dry

Kesia Lupo - We Are Blood and Thunder

Becky Albertalli - What If It's Us

Chelsea Pitcher - This Lie Will Kill You

Gabriel Dylan - Whiteout

Sarah Carroll - The Words That Fly Between Us

Samuel Pollen - The Year I Didn't Eat

Mary Watson - The Wickerlight

Kathryn Evans - Beauty Sleep

Angie Thomas - On the Come Up

Lisa Williamson - Paper Avalanche

Erin Lange - The Chaos of Now