An author had students “rolling in the aisles” during a talk about his latest book in which a young boy discovers he is part robot.

Joe Craig, author of Jimmy Coates: Killer, spoke to more than 200 Year 8 students at Oaks Park High School, Oaks Lane, Newbury Park on Friday.

He told the students about how he became a writer and his initial inspiration for his book.

Linda Hayes, librarian at the school, said: “He had them on the edge of their seats. He was so funny he could have been a stand-up comedian. He had them rolling in the aisles.”

During the talk to 240 pupils he asked them questions and used their answers to weave the plot for a story.

Mrs Hayes added: “He had kids throwing ideas at him and embroidered a whole story. He did it at such a fast pace he was amazing.”