CHILDREN'S book illustrator Korky Paul proved a big draw when he visited a Durham school.

The Zimbabwe-born artist, who has worked on the popular Winnie the Witch series, spent the day at St Joseph's Primary School in Mill Lane, Gilesgate, which has 110 pupils aged to 11.

Mr Paul, who is in the region for this weekend's children's book festival in Gateshead, visited each class, talking to the youngsters about his work, showing them some tricks of the trade and encouraging them to read.

Deputy headteacher and literacy co-ordinator Catherine Craig said: "We feel extremely fortunate to have Korky Paul come into school to spend the day with the children demonstrating his artwork and promoting reading."