AUTHOR Robert Muchamore dropped into the county town to share the joys of reading with pupils from Dorchester Middle School.

The writer, renowned for his CHERUB and Henderson’s Boys series, kept 300 youngsters from Years Seven and Eight entertained with tales and signed books for fans.

The visit was part of his tour to promote his latest work Grey Wolves and was arranged after Dorchester Middle School successfully bid for a visit from Mr Muchamore.

The author said: “For the past two weeks, I’ve been on tour promoting Grey Wolves, the fourth book in my Henderson’s Boys series.

“It’s a World War Two adventure story, following a mission to sabotage German U-Boats based along the French coast.

“I received a very warm welcome at Dorchester Middle School.

“The kids had an heroic 20-minute trek to the Corn Exchange on a rainy morning.

“Despite the walk they were a lively bunch, with loads of great questions.

“The ones who were getting out of maths lessons seemed happiest of all.”

Dorchester Middle School librarian Fiona Scott was delighted with how the day went.

She said: “It was fantastic. He was a very engaging speaker who kept them all entertained for a good 40 minutes and then we had a 20-minute question and answer session.

“Keeping 300 11- and 12-year-olds engaged is quite an achievement.

“It was enjoyed by all and there is a huge level of interest in his books now, which is great.”

Mrs Scott said Mr Muchamore was extremely obliging when it came to signing books and autographs for the children, adding: “He was an absolute star.

“He must have signed his name 400 times, as everyone who had a book he signed for them, but also each pupil was given a DVD with information and extracts from his book and if they didn’t have a book he signed the DVD for them.

“So every child had the opportunity to get his signature and he was also very happy to chat to the children, especially those who were already fans. One had dressed up in his fan club T-shirt.

“It was a great success – quite inspiring about giving the children ideas for how to start to write and, if they are interested in writing, what sort of things they should be thinking about. And best of all he told them to keep reading lots of books.”