Young bookworms in Bolton have given a children's author their seal of approval.

A group of 100 youngsters from the town's secondary schools studied eight novels shortlisted for the Bolton Children's Book Award.

The winner was Sophie McKenzie whose book, Girl Missing, follows the story of a young girl's trip to America to discover her real parents.

The London author was presented with the award at Bolton Town Hall on Saturday.

Sophie said: "It's fantastic to have won an award which has been voted for by children.

"They are ultimately my most important critics and it's great to get such good feedback from them."

The award, which was established in 2005 to encourage young people in Bolton to read for fun and raise literacy standards, is organised by Bolton Libraries Schools Library Service and the University of Bolton.

Wangu Chafuwe, aged 11, a pupil at Thornleigh Salesian College, was one of the child judges. He said: "I liked the idea of a girl going to America to find her parents.

"It was quite an unusual concept but it made a really good story."

The other finalists were: Beast by Ally Kennen; Flash Flood: Code Red by Chris Ryan; Jerry Jannans by Elly Brewer; Kiss Of Death by Malcolm Rose; Nemesis Into The Shadows by Catherine MacPhail; The Howling Tower by Michael Coleman; and The Shapeshifter: Finding The Fox by Ali Sparkes.

Cllr Ismail Ibrahim, Bolton Council's executive member for culture, said: "The award is fantastic because it keeps children reading in an age where computers are taking over as a form of entertainment."