YOUNGSTERS from a Bolton children's club will be helping to choose the winner of the Nestle Smarties Book Prize.

Children from School's Out Kids Club, which has three centres in Bromley Cross and Edgworth, will become judges for the national competition, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary.

They are among 150 schools and 50 clubs across the country to help judge the books, which have been shortlisted by a panel of adult experts.

The 32 children, aged between four and 11, will help decide who should win the 4Children Special Award by voting for their favourite book and completing a project based on their choice.

Co-ordinator Kim McClelland said: "We like to try to get involved with different activities.

"We haven't done a book competition before and the children have really enjoyed it."

The results will be announced at a London awards ceremony on December 8.

School's Out was chosen through a nationwide competition for young judges, in which children were asked to draw a picture of themselves, their friends and food at a party.

More than 35,000 school children are taking part in the judging of the annual award.

This year's shortlist is a mix of new voices and well-established authors including past Nestle Smarties winners Geraldine McCaughrean and Eva Ibbotson.

There are three categories aged five and under, aged six to eight and age nine to 11 with three finalists in each.