CHILDREN at a Weymouth primary school have been celebrating the launch of their own book.

Year 5 pupils at Conifers Primary School in Radipole Lane each wrote a short story which has been published in one book.

Parents, children and governors attended the launch where extracts of the book where read out.

The project was organised by teacher and literacy co-ordinator Julie Burden who helped put the book of short stories together with the publisher Scholastic.

She said: “All the children have been so excited about the launch.

“They love the fact that their work has been published and that they have the book to keep as a memory.

“We’ll definitely do something like this again. We might try it with poems.

“It has made them enthusiastic about writing and that was the main thing.”

Year 5 pupil Robert Biggs, aged 10, said he had enjoyed helping to put the book together.

He said: “I have written lots of stories before but I’ve never had anything published.

“I like that I can keep it.”

His mum, Carol, said: “I think it’s a great idea and he has been really excited about it.

“It’s nice for the parents to keep as a memoir.”

There are two pupils in each class who act as school councillors and Corby Hiscutt, aged 10, is one of them.

He said: “It’s nice to be published rather than just to keep it in the classroom.

“I think other schools should do it.”

His mum, Kirsty, added: “It’s also nice to see all the children’s work together – you don’t often get a chance to do that. Now I can keep the book as a reminder and show him when he’s older.

“The school is always doing different things but I think this is one of the nicest.”

Headteacher Rachel Hiscock said she also thought the project was a great idea for the children.

She said: “It’s always good to celebrate writing. The children have been very enthusiastic about it.”

Light refreshments and snacks provided free of charge by ASDA and Morrisons were also available for the children and adults to enjoy at the launch.