TWO talented youngsters have been chosen to contribute to a new children's audio book.

Prestwich writer David Cohen, whose pen name is DM Rivers, has enjoyed tremendous success with his 'Sleepy the Magic Bear' series of books, which is aimed at children aged five to 10.

He is set to record the first instalment of the series as an audio book and needed help from two primary school-aged children to get the characters' voices just right.

After holding auditions at Bury and Whitefield Jewish Primary School in Unsworth, Mr Cohen selected Ellie Noakes and Raffi Abrahams, both aged 10.

They will step into a recording studio over the May Bank Holiday weekend and the resulting story will be sold on CD from the Sleepy the Magic Bear website.

Both pupils have a keen interest in performing arts and have taken part in the school production of The Wizard of Oz.

Raffi's mother Luisa Abrahams, of Sunnybank, said she and his father Justin were very proud of him.

"He was really happy to be chosen and is really looking forward to taking part in the recording. This is something that is right up his street," said Mrs Abrahams.

She added: "Raffi has quite a high voice and it is perfectly suited to this kind of recording."

Ellie's mother Ruth Sanderson, of Stand Lane, Radcliffe, said she and Ellie's father Glenn Noakes were extremely happy with the news.

She added: "It's amazing for her. She speaks really clearly and loves to perform, so this will be a really positive experience.

"We will be with him every step of the way."

For more information about the series of books: visit sleepymagic.co.uk