THE official author for the London 2012 Olympics signed books for 100 Wyre Forest pupils.

Popular children’s writer Robert Rigby met students of Stourport High School and Wolverley CE High School at Stourport Sports Centre.

Robert’s four latest books, Parallel Lines, Running in Her Shadow, Wheels of Fire and Deep Waters have been specially commissioned to promote the forthcoming London Olympic and Paralympics 2012 to UK children.

The event was part of a regional book tour co-ordinated by staff at Stourport High School’s Additional Learning Facility and supported by The ContinU Trust’s Opening Doors programme.

The author spoke to pupils about his successful and varied professional career. Starting out as a songwriter and journalist, Robert has written the novelizations of the movies Goal! and Goal II and written scripts for television including Thomas The Tank Engine and the long-running BBC children’s drama series, Byker Grove.

In between he found time to co-author the popular Boy Soldier series of children books with Andy McNab.

Students quizzed the writer on how he got started in the worlds of journalism, writing and publishing as well as questions about how he gets his inspiration for his work.

The event closed with Robert presenting certificates and prizes to winners of the ContinU High Schools’ short story-writing competition, which has resulted in the publication of a young people’s short stories booklet called Opening Doors.

Head of Stourport High School’s English faculty, Charlotte Haile said: “We are extremely proud of the commendable efforts of our year eight students. We would also like to thank the Continu Trust’s Opening Doors, Barnardo’s and Aim Higher for supporting this fantastic opportunity to develop students’ creative writing skills whilst considering their future aspirations.

“The students were thrilled to meet Robert Rigby in this celebratory event. We are particularly keen to help promote the link between developing English skills and the forthcoming London 2012 Olympics.”