War Horse author Michael Morpugo delights Oswestry literary festival crowd

The much-loved children's writer took to the stage with his wife Clare in front of a sold-out audience of 300 people at The Marches School as part of the annual Oswestry Festival of the Word event, which is in its fourth year.

He was there to talk about his latest book, Where My Wellies Take Me, an anthology he wrote with his wife.

The former teacher has written more than 120 books with his best-known being War Horse.

The story of a horse and its owner battling for survival during World War One has been translated into 45 languages, turned into a successful stage show and made into a Steven Spielberg film.

Mr Morpurgo spoke about the influence Shropshire World War I poet Wilfred Owen had on his work and finished by performing a folk song.

Festival director John Waine said it had gone down brilliantly, with people travelling from as far afield as Chester and North Wales to attend.

"It was absolutely unbelievable. We have had about 30 or 40 feedback forms with people saying it was a real blessing to be there," he said.

Speaking ahead of last night's performance, Mr Morpurgo said he was delighted to be returning to Oswestry.

"One of the reasons I came back to Oswestry was because I had such a good time last time," he said.

"I am very choosey about what festivals I take part in. I sometimes do the big ones but I am much more interested in doing festivals like Oswestry's as it is very focused and I think it is more special."

Other events include an evening with Whitbread Prize winning novelist Kate Atkinson, at The Wynnstay Hotel, on March 22.