Multiple award-winning author Julia Golding visited Bancroft’s School in High Road, Woodford Green, on Tuesday to give a series of creative writing workshops.

Ms Golding is best known for her Cat Royal series, 'The Diamond of Drury Lane',  which was awarded both the Waterstone’s and Nestle's Children’s Book Prize.

The author, who grew up in Theydon Bois and was educated at Davenant School in Loughton, taught children how to create characters and develop a crime story with 'tension' at the centre.

The pupils then shared the opening paragraphs of their crime scene stories with their collegues.

Bancroft pupil Emilia Hitching, 13, said: “It was inspiring to see someone who has grown up in this area but has gone on to achieve acclaim in their chosen field, it gives us something to aim for.”