A former Sunderland teacher is aiming to encourage young boys to start reading more.

Anne Twine, better known under her pen name as Annie Flannigan, has written a novel called “Monument”.

It is based on a young boys obsession with the site in Penshaw and Fatfield riverside.

After years of working in the city, at the likes of Farringdon and Southmoor, Anne tells us she wants to get more youngsters reading.

The debut novel is now available at Waterstones in the Bridges and on Amazon.

Anne has also been selected as the local author to work with youngsters at the Beacon of Light on World Book Day next month on 6th March.

She wants to see more young people reading.

Anne says youngsters today seem to have forgotten about the wealth of literature available.