Children's authors to attend teen fiction awards

Councillor Hayley Coles said the awards were about "encouraging a love of books and reading"

Two popular children's authors are set to join young readers from across Staffordshire for an annual book awards.

Teri Terry and Christopher Edge will attend the Staffordshire Young Teen Fiction Awards on 1 July at the RAF Museum in Cosford.

Staffordshire County Council said the event, now in its 20th year, was a "huge celebration of teen fiction" which hoped to encourage young people to enjoy reading books.

Pupils aged 11-14 who attend school in the county have been voting for their favourite book from a shortlist of eight titles.

Shortlisted books for this year's awards include Lie or Die by A. J. Clack, A Mind Full of Murder by Derek Landy and The Things We Leave Behind by Clare Furniss.

Councillor Hayley Coles, cabinet member for communities and culture, said thousands of young readers and library staff looked forward to the event each year.

She said getting to meet their favourite authors could be "inspirational" for pupils.

"It's all about encouraging a love of books and reading," she added.

"Young people tell us that taking part makes them feel part of a wider reading community that goes beyond the school book club."