A fantasy children's author contacted a Carlisle school after seeing work about one of his books online.

Cliff McNish, author of The Doomspell, got in touch with Cumwhinton School after doing a Google search about himself.

He said: "I put my name into Google and the first thing that came up was the work the pupils have been doing at Cumwhinton School.

"I was amazed at what they'd been doing so I contacted them and asked if they would like me to visit."

Stella Astell, deputy head at Cumwhinton, said: "Cliff does do school visits but not usually this far north. I once tried to get him when I worked at Upperby School but he couldn't come.

"The children love his books. They are fantasy and magical.

"They are really dramatic and pull children in straight away. They enter a fantasy world and Cliff's characters are brilliant.

"He has lots of cliffhangers in his books."

Cliff spoke to the school during assembly and then worked with year 5 and 6 children in their classrooms.

Miss Astell said: "They've been doing a lot of poems and writing and have been really excited about him coming."

Cliff first started writing when his daughter, Rachel, wanted a story about a witch.

The idea got bigger and bigger and eventually became The Doomspell Triology, which has been translated into 26 different languages.

He said: "I go into schools a couple of times a month. I try to keep my ideas fresh. It's really lovely when a school, like Cumwhinton, wants you to come."

Pupil Elodie Vigel said:"I like Cliff's books because they're really adventurous."

Nate Coady, 10, said: "Cliff's books are unusual and unexpected. It's fun to have him in school."