A HUGELY experienced storyteller enthralled dozens of youngsters during a visit to Merlin Top Primary Academy, in Keighley.

Sita Brand, founder and director of Settle Stories, entertained four groups of nursery and reception pupils at the school last Wednesday. (Nov 26)

She illustrated her words with puppets, some of which she has bought from abroad and others she has made herself. Mrs Brand has been working in the arts and as a storyteller for 30 years.

Responding to her Merlin Top visit she said: "It went extremely well. What was particularly gratifying was the looks on the children's faces. They were just enchanted.

"I told stories from around the world and there were games, plenty of interactivity and lots of puppets.

"When you have very young children they want to engage with things which are tactile, and they respond very well to the puppets being there in front of them.

"It was fantastic to be able to work with such a wonderful group of responsive young people at Merlin Top.

"Some of them were only three-years-old, but the fact that they sat there, engaged for 45 to 50 minutes, is testament to the quality of the education at their school."