CHILDREN at Hawthorns Junior School, Blackburn, picked up tips on how to write a good story when author Peter Hayden visited them at school.

Mr Hayden, who gives talks and readings to schools across the country on a regular basis, was holding a workshop at the St James' Road school this week.

The author has written the "Stringy Simon" series of children's books as well as "The Headmaster's Daughter" and "And Smith Must Score".

The visit was arranged as part of the school's commitment to raising achievements in writing and enouraging boys to read more.