Up to 1,200 excited pupils crammed into the Kings Theatre in Southsea for the Portsmouth Book Awards yesterday.

Youngsters at 28 junior and primary schools were given five short novels to read – and then asked to choose the best.

The excitement in the theatre reached fever pitch with a countdown on a big screen before the winner was announced as Grandad and John by Jeanie Willis – a humorous and moving tale about a six-year-old's relationship with his grandfather.

Court Lane Junior School acted out a short drama based on the book while a choir from Cottage Grove Primary School sung an original song inspired by the story.

The author couldn't be there because she was unwell, but in a recorded message she said: 'I can't tell you how thrilled I am. I'm so pleased you liked it.'

Now in its seventh year, the Book Awards is run by Portsmouth City Council and is split into three events with a longer novel vote for secondary school pupils and a picture book celebration for infants.

It has successfully promoted the enjoyment of reading and use of public libraries – echoing the aims of The News' year-long Spread The Word literacy campaign.

Portsmouth's school library service manager Peter Bone, said: 'Every year it's gone from strength to strength. It's such a big event and it generates such excitement.

'It's the best bit of the year because you've got nearly 1,200 children cheering about books. It's such a celebration of readers and reading.'

This year's Book Awards also included picking two Readers of the Year from city schools.

Eloise Merriman, 10, from St Paul's Catholic Primary, uses her pocket money to buy books while Thomas Hooley, nine, from Corpus Christi Catholic Primary School, visits the public library in North End at least three times a week.

Thomas said: 'I'm really happy. I enjoyed it and it was exciting. I love The Roman Mysteries by Caroline Lawrence because they are really interesting.'

His proud mum Nathalie Hooley, of Cardiff Road, North End, said: 'I'm really pleased. Thomas has always loved reading.

'He reads for a couple of hours every night – it really seems to capture his imagination.'