POPULAR children's author and laureate Lauren Child was in Bolton to give a presentation to school pupils about her work.

The writer, famous for creating the Charlie and Lola series, spoke to children at Ladybridge Primary School yesterday and talked about where she got her ideas from for her stories and characters.

She also stuck around to sign copies of her books during the afternoon.

Before her talk yesterday, the 51-year-old said: "I will be speaking to the children about my ideas and where I get them from and I will probably give a demonstration.

"It is nice to talk to the children and you get some great characters. Their enthusiasm for books is always really energising.

"I never met an author when I was a child so they did not seem like they were really people.

"Children have quite a lot of respect for authors."

Charlie and Lola were introduced in a series of picture books and later adapted as animated television characters on CBBC.

Lola is presented as an energetic, imaginative little girl and Charlie is a patient and kind older brother, always willing to help his little sister learn and grow.

The first Charlie and Lola book was I Will Not Ever Never Eat a Tomato, published by Orchard Books in 2000.

Ms Child won the 2000 Kate Greenaway Medal from the Library Association, which recognised the year's best children's book illustration.

It was named one of the top ten winning works, for the 50th anniversary of the medal.

As well as the Charlie and Lola novels, she is also known for the Charlie Bean series.

Charlie and Lola was immortalised in a CBBC tv show.

She was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2010 New Year Honours list.

Ms Child was recently named as the Children's Laureate for the UK in July taking over from Goth Girl author Chris Riddell.