A TOP children’s TV presenter is returning to Chester as part of GobbleDeeBook, the children’s literature festival.

Andy Crawford, who is better known for his performance as ‘Professor Poet’ in hit CBeebies show Rhyme Rocket, will host three days of storytelling in the Grosvenor Shopping Centre in Chester.

Andy, who hails from Great Sutton, shot to fame after producers of the hit show discovered his flare for children educational entertainment.

Andy will be reading a number of stories starting today (Thursday) until Saturday at Grosvenor’s ‘Rocket Read’, from 10am to 4pm to ages three-11.

A space-themed storytelling area in St Michael’s Square in Grosvenor Shopping Centre has been created just for the occasion.

General manager Julie Webb was thrilled by the coup.

She said: “Andy has a natural flare for bringing stories to life and so our Rocket Read will this year be an exciting addition to the already fantastic line-up of GobbleDeeBook Festival.”

Research has shown 40% of children do not get read to by their parents on a regular basis and Grosvenor Shopping Centre wants to change that in Chester.

Rocket Read coincides with a schools arts competition, which has been won by Emily Lloyd-Simons, eight, from Utkinton St Paul’s CofE School.

Emily’s drawing of Star the Snowy Kitten caught the eyes of Grosvenor judges who saw a huge amount of creativity and thought in the piece of artwork.

The shortlisted creations – some of which we have printed on this page – can now be seen in the centre from pupils of schools across Chester, including Utkinton St Paul’s CofE School, Acresfield Primary, Delamere CofE Academy, Upton Westlea Primary, Helsby Hillside Primary, Highfield Community Primary and Eccleston Primary.

Julie said she was not only thrilled with the number of entries for the competition but with the amount of families who had signed up to Grosvenor’s online storytelling pledge.

Families from across Chester have taken part in the scheme, which encourages families to spend at least 10 minutes a day celebrating storytelling in every form, whether it be reading, writing or drawing their favourite storybook character.

Julie added: “The GobbleDeeBook Festival is a real celebration of children’s literacy and we hope that many more families take part in our storytelling pledge.”

To sign up to the pledge, click the link at www.thegrosvenorcentre.co.uk.