BOOKWORMS from schools across the borough have been deciding on their favourite reads of the year as part of BASH Awards.

The Book Awards St Helens is an annual reading for pleasure scheme where children and young people are encouraged to read the latest fiction written specially for them.

Primary and secondary pupils have been busy taking part in library workshops to agree on which book should be crowned number one from a short-list of nominations in their age category.

Celebration events were held at Chester Lane and Newton-le-Willows libraries.

Helen Poole, an author from Liverpool, announced that ‘The Everywhere Bear’ by Julia Donaldson was the winner of the BASH 5+ award as voted for by year one pupils.

In the BASH 9+ category, sponsored by Fiction Express, Christian O’Connell’s Radio Boy won.

Sutton Manor Primary School pupil Kacie Smith was awarded best review for her piece on Who Let The Gods Out by Maz Evans. She received a selection of books as a result. The special guest for the 9 plus event was author of ‘The Many Worlds of Albie Bright’ – Christopher Edge.

The BASH 11+ event at Newton-le-Willows Library, saw Emily Barr’s ‘Memory of Flora Banks’ taking top prize, with the author sending a video message to thank them.

The winning book review was won by Cowley High School’s Jasmina Rai for her account of Elizabeth Laird’s Welcome to Nowhere.