BORDERS at Cheshire Oaks hosted the Cheshire Book Awards.

Designed to promote reading and arranged in conjunction with the Education Library Service, this was the second year of the awards, and involved students from 16 secondary schools throughout the region, including Cheshire Oaks, Whitby and Ellesmere Port Catholic high.

Children, librarians, teachers and parents took part in reading groups to cover the six shortlisted titles, and from this the youngsters voted for their favourite.

The winner, announced on the night, was Derek Landy with his book, Skulduggery Pleasant, and author Fiona Dunbar, shortlisted for her book Toonhead, was present as the guest speaker.

Students from participating schools were invited to attend the ceremony.

Borders general manager Paul Thornton said: “We pride ourselves on our close contacts with local schools and were very pleased to be hosting the awards for the second year in a row.”