A top BBC children’s presenter has made a surprise visit to a Kent primary school to talk to children about what it means to be a good friend.

Gemma Hunt, star of CBeebies pirate show Swashbuckle, visited Temple Ewell Church of England Primary School, earlier this month.

Gemma, who has been a presenter on Songs of Praise, has just written her first children’s book - See! Let’s Be A Good Friend - which is inspired by Jesus’ parables and teachings.

The TV star, who is of mixed race heritage, told the pupils why she had written the book.

“While there is more diversity in children’s stories these days, there was nothing which truly reflected my own experience of home life,” she said. “I wrote these stories because it’s so important for children to see themselves represented in the literature and media they consume. I want my daughter to look at the book and feel like she’s looking in a mirror.”

Gemma read some of the stories to the children and explained how books are published.

Angela Matthews, Headteacher of Temple Ewell, said: “Gemma’s visit was an excellent opportunity for all our pupils to meet an author and learn about the writing process, as well as listen to different versions of some well-known Bible stories.

“As a Church school, we all particularly enjoyed listening to The Good Samaritan, which links with our school vision and values.”