A children’s author helped kids at an Archway school to discover joy of reading.

Piers Torday, author of The Last Wild, went to Hargrave Park Primary School, in Bredgar Road , to encourage pupils get to grips with books

Mr Torday was motivated to join the charity scheme run by Mayor’s Fund for London after learning that 221 Islington school children failed to reach level 4 in the reading element of SATs last year.

He said: “Being able to confidently read on your own can really encourage personal development and growth way beyond being able to read a form or a school book. It’s a key life skill.”

“It is a very pleasurable way to put something back. I have friends who have been running a marathon for charity, and I can tell you I’d rather sit in a nice warm library.”