STUDENTS from across the town were paid a special visit by author Teri Terry this week.

A total of 280 Year 8 and 9 students from Ridgeway School, Nova Hreod, Lydiard Park, Kingsdown and Commonweal attended the event, held at Ridgeway in Wroughton on Monday.

Teri, most well known for her futuristic Slated trilogy, visited the school as part of a nationwide tour of schools to promote all of her the books.

Waterstones also set up a pop-up shop where students could buy their own copies of Shattered, which is the latest novel in the award winning trilogy. Mel Middlemass, the faculty head of English at Ridgeway School, said: “With dystipian fiction really striking a chord with teenage readers, it was fantastic to welcome Teri Terry into school.

“I look forward to lots of interesting discussions with students following her visit.”

Martyn Hoar, the branch manager at Waterstones, said: “The enthusiasm and delight on students faces, especially on seeing the Shattered book before official publication, was brilliant.”

Teri has lived in France, Canada, Australia and England at more addresses than she can count, acquiring four degrees. Her past careers have included a scientist, lawyer, optometrist, and, in England, various jobs in schools, libraries, and working for an audiobook charity.

The footpaths and canal ways of the Buckinghamshire Chilterns, where she now lives, inspired much of the setting of her the Slated trilogy. She is currently writing something new,which is due for release in March 2015.