An award-winning author will visit Devon schools to meet 1,000 pupils.

The visit is thanks to the Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival.

Onjali Raüf, who wrote the popular book The Boy At The Back of the Class, will visit The King's School Ottery St Mary and Exmouth Community College this month.

She will discuss this book and her other work.

Ms Raüf will also host a special event at Exmouth Community College for keen older Year 6 readers from nine primary schools.

The primary schools involved include Bassetts Farm, Beacon, Brixington, Withycombe, Littleham, St Joseph’s in Exmouth, Otterton Primary, St Peter’s in Budleigh Salterton, and Drakes in East Budleigh.

The Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival organised the event.

As a charitable organisation, the festival uses its profits for community outreach, with a focus on an education programme bringing authors and illustrators to East Devon schools.

David Marston, of Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival's education committee, said: "We have been trying to bring Onjali to our local schools for some time and are delighted that she will be working with us over two days.

"She's one of the brightest stars of writing for young people and this is just the latest in a growing series of writers we have been able to bring to Devon pupils and students as part of our charitable aims."

Each year, the Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival presents a motivating range of authors and speakers to the town.

The Spring Weekend is scheduled for March 7 and 8, and next year's main festival will take place from September 17 to 21.

The festival's initiative aims to inspire young minds and foster a love for reading among Devon's students, encouraging engagement with literature beyond the classroom.