Favourite online poetry star Michael Rosen enthralled youngsters as 350 Year 3 and 4 pupils from around the area gathered at New Rickstones Academy in Witham recently.

Children from Great Bradfords, Finchingfield Church of England, Silver End, Lyons Hall, St Michael’s and John Bunyan primary schools were spellbound as the author of We’re Going On A Bear Hunt, Big Book of Bad Things and Even My Ears Are Smiling encouraged them to join in with the much-loved stories.

‘I am really keen for children to see there’s a relationship between the things we say and the things we write,’ said Michael. ‘I provide that bridge as I am saying the things which are in my books. It’s a key to literacy to learn that.’