Children from Littledown and Stoke Poges schools met ex-soldier and bestselling author Andy McNab and his co-author Phil Earle when they visited Go Ape Black Park in Slough this week to launch their first children’s book for younger readers.

The book Get Me Out of Here is set in an adventure park, so Andy and Phil gave the children a unique reading up in Go Ape Black Park’s treetop nets. The children were also be able to unleash their wild side in the great outdoors on Go Ape’s treetop course, reaching new heights, conquering wobbly crossings and flying down the zip wire for an awesome finale.

Sharron Scott, director of sales and commercial partnerships at Go Ape!, said: “It was so exciting to host the launch of Andy McNab and Phil Earle’s new book at Go Ape Black Park. Thanks to the unique experience we offer, we’re the perfect venue for events such as this. I know the children had a fantastic day which combined meeting world famous authors, reading in the trees and the chance to challenge themselves physically. It’s definitely a day they’ll never forget.”

Dave Daborn, site manager at Go Ape Black Park, said: "Our mission at Go Ape is to get everyone living life more adventurously and reading can be the greatest adventure of all. It was fantastic to work with Scholastic Children’s Books to promote the launch of this exciting new book."

Get Me Out of Here tells the story of Danny Mack and his friends who go on a school trip that goes seriously wrong.

Andy himself was abandoned in a shopping bag on the steps of Guy’s Hospital and was illiterate until he joined the army at age 16. He credits learning to read with changing his life path.

He said: “I know how much I missed out in my own childhood so I really wanted to make some children’s books that everyone could enjoy – and make sure we get beyond the middle-class culture where reading is just a normal part of life.”