Francesca Simon joins Snowsfields school pupils at the Shard

The View from The Shard opened an hour earlier than normal on Wednesday to allow the year 6 pupils from Snowsfields Primary School to visit the tower.

Author Francesca Simon – best known for the Horrid Henry series – read an extract from her new book The Lost Gods which is a novel for older children inspired by Norse mythology.

The book is set in London and features the Shard, Tate Modern and the Millennium Bridge.

Booktrust is the official charity partner of The View from The Shard this year.

As part of the event, publishers Faber and Faber have donated £1,000 to the Children's Reading Fund.