CHILDREN across East Sussex have voted for their favourite book as a six-month initiative aimed at fuelling youngsters’ love of reading reached its climax.

Wild Boy, a rollicking adventure novel by Rob Lloyd Jones set among the freak shows of Victorian London, was named winner of the East Sussex Children’s Book Award 2015.

The result was announced in an awards ceremony at the De La Warr Pavilion, in Bexhill, attended by 18 schools from across East Sussex and Brighton and Hove.

The awards, organised by East Sussex Schools Library and Museum Service and now in their 10th year, saw the five shortlisted authors visit schools across the area to talk about their writing.

Cllr Chris Dowling, East Sussex County Council lead member for community services, said: “Every year, the children’s book awards give youngsters the chance to enjoy some of the best in new children’s writing.

“Having some of the country’s leading authors involved in visiting schools and sharing their passion for writing can only fuel children’s love of literature even more.

“This year’s event was a fitting celebration of 10 years of the awards and I’d like to thank our staff for all their hard work and schools across the county for embracing the event so enthusiastically.”

The awards ceremony included imaginative presentations from five schools about each of the books on the shortlist and a fiendish book quiz won by Ocklynge Junior School, in Eastbourne.

While Mr Lloyd Jones could not be present in person to collect his award, he recorded a special video, including a reading from his winning book, which was played at the awards ceremony.

The event also saw two of the nominated authors, Ellie Irving and Sophia McDougall, talk to the children about their next books.

The video featuring Rob Lloyd Jones can be seen online at https://new.eastsussex.gov.uk/libraries/activities-and-events/book-award/2015-wild-boy/