KIDDERMINSTER born children's author Roddy Brooks is running a series of creative writing workshops for children aged eight upwards, in seven of the county's libraries, including Woodrow, later this month.

The reading and writing workshops are part of the Worcestershire Libraries Summer Reading Challenge activity programme.

The Redditch event will take place in Woodrow Library on Friday, July 25 from 1-4pm.

The workshops, based around Roddy's first book The Journey, telling the story of a nine-year-old princess with magic powers, will include a variety of interactive elements including reading aloud, quizzes, writing sessions and taking on the author role with their story writing.

Councillor Lucy Hodgson, county council cabinet member for localism and communities, said: "Opportunities like these are so important. For children to actually meet an author can be such an inspiring experience.

"Worcestershire County Council’s Libraries and Learning Service is all about encouraging children to read for pleasure and to write creatively. Meeting and talking to authors like Roddy Brooks really helps children to develop their skills at the same time as having a lot of fun."

The workshops are free and open to all children who have signed up to the Reading Agency's Summer Reading Challenge. Places are limited and so pre-booking is essential via the library holding the workshop. Children will need to bring writing materials and paper with them. Children who haven't yet signed up to the challenge can still do so at their local library. The challenge runs until September 20 with all finishers receiving certificates and medals.