TERENCE Blacker, creator of the Ms Wiz series of stories, had Swindon youngsters spellbound.

The children's author, who also writes a column for The Independent, dropped in on two libraries to meet fans from four local schools.

In the morning he talked to pupils from Tregoze and Goddard Park Primary Schools at West Swindon Library.

And in the afternoon it was the turn of Bridlewood and Seven Fields Schools, at North Swindon Library.

Emma McElwee, children's librarian, said Mr Blacker talked to the Year 5 and 6 pupils about his writing.

The children, around 30 from each school, were also encouraged to put questions to him before getting the chance to buy signed copies of his books.

The visit was part of an annual project to help the libraries decide which books to stock.

The children get to sample a selection of stories and read as many of them as they can.

They then vote for the ones they like the most.

And Mr Blacker obviously made an impression with the youngsters, who chose him as their overall favourite.

Emma said: "He talked about how he writes and spent most of the time answering questions.

"He was asked how much he earned from his latest book, which he did answer although we promised not to tell anyone how much.

"Then there were the questions such as What car do you drive?' "The children had taken part in a project we do every year."