Schoolchildren have been emailing renowned poet Michael Rosen as part of their work for the Brighton Festival.

Pupils at Peter Gladwin Primary School in Portslade have been sending him messages and enjoying his poems in class.

The Year Three children also wrote a book of poems which they sent to him and enjoyed lunch with him and a poetry reading at the Brighton Dome.

Wade Pollington, eight, said: "He was really funny and he signed our books for us. I read his poems every night."

Natasha Tully, also eight, has turned into a real bookworm since discovering his books.

She said: "I go to bed really early and read his books and then go to sleep really late."

The 209-pupil school in Drove Road is one of several to adopt an author for the Brighton Festival. Headteacher Jane Bentley said they would carrying on emailing him until the end of the year.

She said: "We actively participate in the festival each year. We strongly believe in a creative curriculum. You can see how animated the kids are, how motivated and how switched on."

Ms Bentley said adopting an author gave the children confidence and made them articulate speakers.

She said: "Every school should have the chance to do it because it's so beneficial."