A TOP author proved she had the write stuff when she visited fans at a Greenock school.

Claire McFall, who won the Teenage Book Prize for her thriller Black Cairn Point, was delighted to give a talk at Inverclyde Academy.

This was followed by a question and answer session with second year pupils and a book signing.

Claire said: “The pupils had some brilliant questions and they laughed when I was trying to be funny which was very generous of them. It’s overwhelming that they have read some of my books.”

Claire, who works as an English teacher in the Borders, was also shortlisted for the Children’s Book Award for her first book, Ferryman, and nominated for the prestigious Carnegie Medal.

Pupil Ayla McCallum, 13, said: “Claire’s books are interesting and realistic and it was amazing that she came to the school.”

Class mate Rachel O’Connor, also 13, told the Tele: “I’ve read most of Claire’s books and really enjoyed them. They’re fantasy books but don’t stray too far from the real world.”

Beth Hume, 12, from Inverkip, added: “Claire is my favourite author and I was so happy she came to our school.

“Her books are so original and unique.

“They’re not like any other books I’ve ever read. I would like to be a writer, so I was trying to get some advice from her, and I got some very good tips.”

School librarian Susan Morton says Claire’s visit shows just how popular reading is at the school.

She said: “It’s fantastic that we have second years who are excited about reading.

“I think we’ve got a lot of new fans.”