IMAGINATIVE youngsters have been set a challenge to show a popular children's author they are made of the 'write stuff.'

Peter Jay Black asked pupils at Devonshire Road Primary School to write their own work of fiction based on his Urban Outlaws series — and to send him their final draft for him to look at and judge it.

Teacher Simon Hunt said: "The children really love reading the book. I like the book because it has strong female characters in it.

"The author actually failed his GCSE in English at school but he still turned it around to become a popular children's author. I tweeted him and he responded quite quickly and we organised a Skype session where the children could talk to him."

It was during the Skype session with the children at their school in Heaton, and the author in California, that Mr Black threw down the challenge for the class to write their own story and send it to him.

Mr Hunt added: "The children cannot wait to get started with their stories.The children know they are writing for a real author and all the children are so engaged with their writing in such a positive way because they know someone important will be looking at their work.

"During the Skype session he told them that the gadgets in his books are because of his dad, who was a scientist and would bring home gadgets and gizmos."

Now the children are busy writing their stories to take the spy series further.

Libby Howarth, aged 11, said: "The challenge he gave us was to create a character based on ourselves and to make sure we included a sky scraper with a 20th floor.

"I am very excited about writing my story, it is a dream come true to have a famous author read my story.

"He was so encouraging when he spoke to us."

Saraan Khan, aged 10, added: "It was really cool talking to the author. He told us we should never give up and and I really excited to write a story for him."

The winner will received a set of his books.

See The Bolton News website for a video of the author speaking to children via Skype.