THE winner of Worcestershire’s Teen Book Award will be announced by the county’s Young Poet Laureate at a ceremony this month.

The chosen book voted for by Worcestershire young people will be revealed by newly-appointed laureate Laura Dedicoat.

The winner has been selected from a shortlist of six which was determined by over 400 key stage three children from 14 schools across the county, as part of a scheme launched by Worcestershire schools’ library service (SLS).

Children have been voting online for the past three months using school library computers and will take part in a quiz about the books on the day.

The books in the running include Boys Don’t Cry by Malorie Blackman, Shadow by Michael Morpurgo, Trash by Andy Mulligan, Diary of a Wimpy Vampire by Tim Collins, Mortlock by Jon Mayhew and Angel by L.A. Weatherly.

Author Harriet Goodwin will also join the young people and librarians to discuss what inspires her to write.

Dawn Woods, manager of SLS, said: "We've had a record number of votes this year which proves how reading really sparks the interest of children.

“The books chosen in the shortlist are all really varied and so it's going to be really exciting to see who clinches the award."

The event is now in its fourth year and it will take place at the council chamber in county hall on Thursday.

For more information on the awards, visit worcestershire.gov.uk/sls and for libraries and learning, visit worcestershire.gov.uk/libraries