Children's Laureate Michael Rosen had pupils and staff spellbound when he went through his paces at Dauntsey’s Aided Primary School last week.

Pupils from St Barnabas in Market Lavington, Holy Trinity in Great Cheverell, Chirton, Five Lanes and Tilshead were also in the audience.

Mr Rosen used stories from his own childhood to illustrate how people’s experiences can be used to write poetry.

DAPS headteacher Jacqui Monckton said that Mr Rosen had the whole school rivetted.

She said: “He did one session with young pupils in the morning and then one for the older ones in the afternoon.

“He stayed for lunch and said he enjoyed his chicken korma.

“We are taking part in the Vibrant Schools project and were looking for a special event to kick it off. The former county council education adviser Rob Ratcliffe put us in touch with Mr Rosen and it all happened.

“Mr Rosen was wonderful. He stayed behind afterwards and signed copies of his books.”