An author has visited St Albans Girls’ School to encourage pupils to explore their imaginations.

Natasha Farrant, whose first book was published in 2008, read The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe to pupils from Years 7 and 8 while they had their eyes closed.

The method was to demonstrate how books can help the reader experience different places without even visiting them.

Year 7 pupil Lois Holness said: “I found it really interesting to find out what influenced the writing of her books.”

Natasha’s visit was one of a number of events held in St Albans last Thursday to mark World Book Day.

At other schools, pupils came dressed as characters from The Cat In the Hat and Where’s Wally as part of the celebrations.

The day coincided with the release of Natasha’s latest children’s fiction book, Children of Castle Rock.

She said: “I honestly feel as if I am attached to each book by an umbilical cord.”