THE book was closed on the 2016 Swindon Youth Festival of Literature as dozens of pupils gathered for a prize-giving ceremony at the Platform.

A total of 30 events were staged all around the town during the month, from workshops and talks to quizzes, competitions and competitions.

Festival co-ordinator Fiona Hardcastle said: “It was just a lovely way to round off the week and to celebrate our success.”

She stressed: “It is a celebration of all the Swindon secondary schools. I think it is just a fantastic example of how Swindon schools work together for our students.”

“It is a whole year’s-worth of planning. Working it out between the 11 secondary schools and the logistics of it all does take time. It wouldn’t happen without teamwork and that’s down to the librarians.”

Her favourite events were the launch with Children’s laureate Chris Riddell and the headline show at the Wyvern Theatre with Geek Girl author Holly Smale. “Both events were very inspiring to the students,” she said.

Holly’s talk about how she had dealt with being bullied at school also struck a chord with many of them, she said.

Among the stars of the children’s literary world to take part in this year’s programme were Swindon-based illustrator Fred Blunt, whose work has appeared in several Usborne titles, Anthony McGowan, author of the award-winning book for you adults, Henry Tumour and internationally recognised creative writing tutor David Gatward.

Bali Rai, whose work Rani and Sukh is a set text for GCSE students, was also on the list along with Tales of Terror writer Chris Priestley.

Children took part in workshops, learned about creative writing and took part in several competitions, including a challenge to illustrate a passage of a book and writing a 500-word story on an image.

The winners were presented with their certificates and prizes on Thursday

Highworth Warneford School won the book quiz. Creative writing contest winners were Kimmy Shopland of Lydiard Park Academy and Raj Burman of St Josephs, with runners-up Mary-Kate Miller of St Joseph’s, Connie Maclennan from Nova Hreod, Hannah Potts and Katy Banks, both of Ridgway.

Amber Traynor from Lydiard Park Academy won the Fred Blunt illustration workshops with Emily Iles of Dorcan and Maria Bartucca from St Joseph’s as runners-up.

Illustration competition winners were Jamie Houghton and Katie Taylor of Nova Hreod. Brylon D’Silva of Churchfields and Louise Jenkins from Commonweal came in second and Kingsdown pupils Ruby Cooper and Ciara Hunt earned third place.

Hem Limbu, Charlotte Dale, Madison Read, Anna Talbert, Dan Hunt, Hannah Cooper, Danielle Stewart, Lucas Gleed, Martina Svobodova, Megan Castle and Kacey St Clair were all recognised as library ambassadors for their schools.