An initiative aimed at inspiring young children to read will reach its end next week.

On Thursday June 25, the winners of the annual Redbridge Children’s Book Award will be announced at a special event at the town hall, in High Road, Ilford.

In attendance will be primary and secondary schoolchildren and four of the shortlisted authors - John Boyne, Kevin Brooks, Sharon Gosling and Ali Sparkes.

The pupils began reading selected children’s and teenage books in the autumn, before a shortlist was drawn up earlier this year of the novels in both categories which they enjoyed the most.

A spokesman for Redbridge Council said: “We were asked to start the award because many of our schools and public library reading groups were frustrated with the high level of books selected for the Carnegie Medal.

“We had some very keen reading groups of 10-13 year olds who wanted books that were aimed at their age.”

The schoolchildren attending the event will have the opportunity to have their books signed by the authors and take part in a question and answer session with them.

The results of the poetry and short story competition which runs alongside the scheme will also be announced.