A Blue Peter presenter turned author stopped by a school in Hazlemere to speak to pupils about the importance of reading on World Book Day.

Konnie Huq, the longest-serving presenter on Blue Peter who has since become an author and screenwriter, visited Hazlemere Church of England School on Thursday, March 7, to speak to pupils about the importance of reading in celebration of World Book Day.

Konnie, who appeared on Blue Peter between 1997 and 2008, read from her book series about the exploits of a young London Bangladeshi girl named Cookie and held a workshop on creating characters and storylines with children at the school, who won the visit after nabbing top prize in a UK-wide readathon competition.

She talked her audience through creating their own comic strips, complete with illustrations and speech bubbles, and shared what had inspired her to become a children’s book author.

“There weren’t really any books like this out there. Cookie is a kind of cross between Bridget Jones and the Wimpy Kid – her brain is really fast, she sometimes speaks before she thinks and she sees all of the absurdity in everyday life."

READ MORE: Everything we know about The Marlow Murder Club TV series - airing THIS week

Speaking to the Free Press, Konnie described her visit to Hazlemere as “fantastic”, adding: “I love coming to schools on World Book Day, but this school especially is so lovely. The kids have such great costumes and they’re so nice and well-behaved.

“Reading really is so important for young people to do. It gives empathy, knowledge, and makes people better, essentially.”

Schoolchildren at Hazlemere C of E take part in the Read for Good charity’s readathon every other year and raised over £2,000 to help sick children in hospital last March.

Deputy headteacher Mrs Opiola, who dressed up as Snow White to mark the occasion, said: “We hold the readathon on World Book Day once every two years, and the children always do really well.

“A few of our classes are doing work on Konnie’s books at the moment, so everyone was very excited to have her come in. Us staff all know who she is too!

“There has been a nice buzz all around the school today with Konnie’s visit, and lots of the pupils are going to get their books signed by her too. It’s lovely to see.”

Konnie Huq’s books, Cookie and the Most Annoying Boy in the World, Cookie and the Most Annoying Girl in the World and Cookie and the Most Mysterious Mystery in the World are out now, as is Fearless Fairy Tales, her collaborative reimagining of classic stories with James Kay.