HUNDREDS of East Lothian schoolchildren have heard from an author who has sold millions of books across the world.

Sir Michael Morpurgo visited Belhaven Hill School last month as part of the promotion of his new book, Tales From Shakespeare.

The school invited pupils from 14 neighbouring schools to the special event.

Such was the interest that spaces had to be limited to 20 boys and girls per school.

On the day, 200 local primary school children aged nine to 12 joined the 141 children from Belhaven Hill to welcome Mr Morpurgo to East Lothian.

The author, famous for works including War Horse, The Butterfly Lion and Billy the Kid, had lunch with the school’s English department and head girl and boy, as well as the winner of the school’s recent creative writing competition, before entering the packed auditorium.

East Lothian Courier: Hugely successful author Michael Morpurgo entertained hundreds of pupils at Belhaven Hill School

Tales From Shakespeare is a collection of retellings of 10 of Shakespeare’s plays, from Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet, to Hamlet and King Lear, written in the author’s warm and accessible style.

His encouragement to the children to read his book and then go to see a Shakespeare play aims to combat a reluctance to grapple with the 16th-century bard’s complex language, which can create a barrier to his plays.

Olly Langton, headmaster of Belhaven Hill School, said: “Occasionally, he would ask the children to lean forward and listen particularly carefully.

“They were asked to hold their breath – and exhale.

“The vast majority of the audience of seven-to-13-year-olds had already read many of his books and the few that have not yet were applauded for their bravery in admitting the fact.

“The atmosphere was one of warmth, humour and truth, gently spoken, and it was as refreshing as it was inspiring.”