Children's author Eoin Colfer had youngsters almost crying with laughter when he visited Sprowston Junior School.

The Artemis Fowl writer, who has just launched the final book in the fantasy series, met 300 pupils during his afternoon in Norwich.

The visit was arranged by the Norfolk Children's Book Centre and was also attended by youngsters from Falcon Junior, Old Catton Junior, White Woman Lane Junior, and Hainford and Frettenham primary schools.

Sprowston Junior headteacher Janine Wye said the offer of the visit had come through at the last minute but, given his popularity among young people, added: 'You can't say no to Eoin Colfer.'

She said: 'He was very funny. Some of the children were almost in tears of laughter.

'The children asked lots of questions.

'He talked about what he based his characters on and how he got into the writing side of things from being a teacher.'