PUPILS from Great Baddow High School were joined by others from across Essex to help bring books to life ahead of the Essex Book Awards.

The pupils took part in six drama groups to act out scripts adapted from the six books nominated for the prize, which will be announced in May.

Author and poet Dave Cryer was on hand to help the pupils, as well as Alison King from the school library services, who is managing the award this year.

She said: “It was great to see the different schools working together and bouncing new ideas around as it’s all about encouraging pupils to read for pleasure and promote disAwards: Pupils with Alison King and Mr Cryer cussion.”