PUPILS at three Swindon schools have been devouring books at an impressive rate as part of a Riveting Readathon.

Year Nine students from Kingsdown, Dorcan and Warneford schools have spent the last eight weeks ploughing through five of the newest novels for young people.

Yesterday, they joined together to discuss the books and vote on their favourite. "We divided the pupils into five groups, and each group had to discuss a particular book," explained Russell Sanderson, head of English at Kingsdown School in Hyde Road.

"The groups made presentations, and had to sell their novel to the rest of the pupils.

"At the end, we had a vote on which novel we thought was the best."

Noughts and Crosses, by Malorie Blackman, was declared the most riveting read, with William Nicholson's Slaves of the Mastery coming a close second.

"The readathon was a fantastic way to encourage the pupils to read, and their presentations were very professional," said Mr Sanderson.

"It made a nice change to work closely with other schools, instead of being in competition with each other."