READING is a lot more fun now at Cheriton Bishop Primary School, thanks to a new space opened on World Book Day by a famous author.

Amy Sparkes, who lives in Tiverton and whose books have been shortlisted for a number of awards, writes the "Pirate Blunderbeard" books, the world’s worst pirate.

Visiting to talk to the children Amy also gave a set of her books to the new Library.

In front of the whole school, all dressed in their favourite book characters that included several pirates, Amy cut the white ribbon stretched across the double doors to the Library.

Teacher Nicola Miners explained that the school had to close its former library because it needed the space to accommodate the rising pupil numbers. Apart from their core reading books, these had to be boxed up last year and stored.

"The PTFA worked tirelessly to raise the money to repurpose a wooden building that had been used for storage.

"It was carpeted, painted, double glazed windows put in and the roof upgraded," she said.

Emma Benjamin, chairman of the PTFA, said their target had been £5,000, they managed to raise £6,000 much of which was donated by local businesses and individuals and about £1,000 of materials such as lights were donated.