Pupils at Northumberland Heath Primary School have been the first in the world to hear the latest book from a famous author.

Acorn class had the honour of meeting Nick Butterworth after winning a reading competition.

The prize was the youngsters’ reward for taking first place in a competition open to schools in Bexley, Kent, Medway, and Sussex.

Buster’s Book Club reading challenge is organised by educational charity Inspire Schools.

As a result the school enjoyed a visit from Nick who gave the first ever reading of his new book in the Percy the Park Keeper series, One Springy Day, which is officially released in April.

The release will mark the 30th anniversary of the picture-book series which has sold more than nine million copies worldwide.

After the reading, there was also a book signing, and children also had the chance to purchase copies of One Springy Day to take home before the book is officially available in shops.

And the school received a signed limited-edition poster of Percy the Park Keeper artwork to display in the library.

Kay Devine, literacy coordinator for Buster’s Book Club, said: “This was a very special prize that was cherished by pupils, teachers, and parents alike.

"Nick was amazing - drumming up such excitement amongst the children - and you could’ve heard a pin drop when he began to read the story.”