Meg Harper was at the school to launch her latest work Piper, which she described as “dark and hard-hitting”.

The novel is based on a traditional story, which she hopes will be obvious to readers, and also deals with contemporary issues such as over-population, slavery and the division between rich and poor.

School librarian and learning resources manager Elaine Dodson said: “It was absolutely smashing to have Meg here and the children really enjoyed it. They all had their books signed and then there was a sea of hands in a question and answer session.

“The most bizarre question was ‘what would you say if you went on Top Gear?’

To which she replied that she wouldn’t know what to say and she drives a white van!

“When authors visit the school, children always want to know not just about the writing but more about the person. It was great.”

To find out more visit:

www.megharper.co.uk .

Piper by Meg Harper is available now at bookshops, including Warwick Books, and online at:

www.amazon.co.uk