AUSTRALIAN author David Caddy joined pupils at Ivy Lane School during a week designed to make books fun.

Mr Caddy, who has been funded by the Arts Council to promote his work in this county, was a hit with the young bookworms.

Now teachers hope their week of fun will have encouraged pupils to pick up books for pleasure, rather than just seeing them as something they use at school.

"He was brilliant and they were really motivated by him," said the Chippenham school's literacy co-ordinator Marie Fitzgerald.

"The children loved him and it was all very good fun."

Pupils also had a visit from the Jack In The Box Theatre Group during the school's annual book week.

"They did some excellent performances," said Ms Fitzgerald.

Jack In The Box also went to Ivy Lane during their book week, which is an annual event, last year.

Headteachers from other primary schools in the town, including Bob Buckley from St Paul's, as well as Jane Daniel from Chippenham Library, visited Ivy Lane to read the children their favourite stories.

"The idea was to make reading fun and the children really enjoyed it. It got them interested in books again," said Ms Fitzgerald.