Jacqueline Wilson worries about younger children using iPads

Children's author Dame Jacqueline Wilson believes it is better for toddlers to snuggle up with a book rather than an iPad.

The writer, known for The Story of Tracy Beaker and Double Act, said that while she thinks there is a place for both technology and books in children's lives, she worries about younger kids.

Asked if she thought technology was getting in the way of books nowadays, she told reporters: "The sort of children I meet are generally children who have come to an event because they like reading, so the children I meet all love reading. What your average child is like I don't really know.

"I mean I think there's very much a place for modern technology and for kids to muck around on their iPads or whatever and read.

"But let's hope they do keep reading anyway."

She added: "I do worry about really quite little kids, of two or three, in that I think perhaps they'd be much better sort of snuggled up with mum or dad or whoever reading a book or playing with their bricks or whatever, rather than just stubbing at an iPad, but then I'm old fashioned."

Asked about the variety of children's books available, she said: "I think it's incredible because there's so many different sorts of children's books and I think whatever sort of book you might like to read there is a book for you."

The author was speaking at the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home's Collars and Coats Gala Ball in London.

Joining her on the red carpet at the charity event were Little Mix star Leigh-Anne Pinnock and actor Anthony Head.

The gala raises funds for the famous home's work in rescuing and re-homing abandoned dogs.