SWINDON Youth Festival of Literature has come to an end but opened a whole new chapter for school children and a love of books.

The week-long event saw scores of authors, poets and illustrators impart words of wisdom and inspiration as they visited schools in the town.

It was the turn of Joffre White, the man behind the children’s fantasy saga Frog, on Friday to show Commonweal School youngsters how reading can be exciting and the power of words can be often be life-changing.

“I preach to children that they should read because they want to, not because they have to,” said Joffre, adding that his love of reading began whilst flicking through a Beano comic.

“Pick the book up, read the first two pages if you’re still bored by the bottom of the second page put it back on the shelf and pick another up.

“It’s also about the journey they can go on if they pick a book up or a pencil or pen and start writing.”

Joffre gave a workshop to the pupils on reading and writing and also revealed he has a new futuristic adventure book coming out in March, which will be aimed at teens and young adults, called Earth Land.

“My favourite thing about writing is creating things and then sharing them and hopefully inspiring children,” he added.

“The festival is unique and absolutely fantastic. The librarians have worked so hard and pulled it off again and I don’t think people realise they do it themselves and there is no major company behind it.”

Fiona Hardcastle, who co-ordinated the festival and works at Dorcan Academy, has been praised by the schools for the success of the event.

Commonweal librarian Claire Curtis said: “The week has been fantastic for the students, they have gained a lot of inspiration.

“It’s taken a year of preparations for the festival and working with librarians behind the scenes and the whole thing has been completely funded by headteachers.

“It’s a unique event and we are the only schools in the country to run a lit fest for school children. Other towns have shown interest because they have heard about it and are wondering how they can model their own festival based on what we do here.

“We are trail blazers and it is something Swindon can be proud of.”