AN award-winning author has urged a St Gregory's High School teacher to give one of her pupils top marks on his English project.

In a reply to a letter sent from year eight pupil Jake Williams, writer Kevin Brooks, whose book The Bunker Diary won the annual Carnegie Medal as the best new book for children or young adults published in the UK in 2013, has called for the school to award the 13-year-old an A for his work.

Jake, who described the book as one of his favourites, said: "I decided to write to Kevin as I had just finished reading his book and I had lots of questions about the ending.

"I was quite surprised to get a reply as I know a lot of people must write to him."

In the letter, Jake from Burtonwood quizzed Kevin on his inspiration behind the book and how it felt to win the Carnegie award - making sure he knew all the facts to ensure his project would be one to remember.

His English teacher Jane Salter said: "Jake really enjoyed the book but it raised questions he wanted answering. He wrote a letter to the author to ask him if he could to answer his questions and Kevin Brooks wrote a letter back."

Jake was awarded a high level six for his efforts, which is above average for his age, and he said he was delighted with the mark.