SMARTIES have the answer for these York youngsters who are set to judge the country's biggest children's book award.

Pupils from St Oswald's Primary School in York have been chosen from thousands around the country to become young judges in this year's Nestl Smarties Book Prize.

It is the UK's biggest children's book award, now celebrating its 20th anniversary.

Wendy Gibson's Year 1 class at St Oswald's was chosen through a nationwide competition, which started at the beginning of the autumn term.

The children were asked to complete a writing or drawing activity, depending on their age.

St Oswald's was among 150 schools and 50 clubs chosen to help judge the books, which were shortlisted by a panel of adult experts.

The results will be announced at an awards ceremony on December 8 at the British Library in London, and one winning class from each age group will be invited to attend.

Updated: 08:32 Wednesday, November 03, 2004