PUPILS proved they’re keen to be future authors – and their continued passion for learning about the Clydebank Blitz.

In one of the final events of this year’s Booked! festival, P7 youngsters from St Stephen’s Primary visited the Clydebank Heritage Centre in the main library to meet author Cathy Forde.

The Glasgow writer was discussing how the blitz inspired her novel for young readers The Blitz Next Door, which has been discussed in the school.

But Cathy discovered the pupils were much more switched on to the blitz than she expected, with many mentioning their personal connections.

The book has a list of streets affected in the 1941 bombing and one pupil said: “I got a fright that people died where I live.”

Another said: “My house is where they built tanks in Old Kilpatrick."

Cathy replied: “You’re walking history around you. It’s extraordinary.” Speaking after the talk, she added: “I was surprised at the anecdotal stories and the links to the blitz even though they’re generations removed. They have real living links, seemed really interested and had done their own research.

“They were a great wee class. The story of the blitz is absolutely known – it’s great.”

Pupils were also interested in the publishing process, with one asking how to find a publisher.

Cathy encouraged everyone to keep writing – and a third of the pupils admit they prefer writing in longhand compared to typing.  A number of literary events were held in the last fortnight as part of the Booked! festival, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of the attack. Speakers included  Mag Henderson, Sue Reid Sexton and artist Tom McKendrick.