Boys have caught up with girls in terms of reading ability in the UK, new research from Dundee University suggests.

The study looked at which children's books 213,000 youngsters across the country are reading and suggested that there is no longer a discernible gap between what boys and girls are reading.

Previously, research has suggested that boys tend to read books that are easier than what girls are reading at the same age.

But the new study, led by professor Keith Topping, suggested that this is no longer the case, with boys preferring books by Dav Pilkey and Michael Morpurgo and girls preferring stories by the likes of Jacqueline Wilson and Stephanie Meyer.

Literacy consultant Bev Humphrey said: "The popularity of Robert Muchamore, Jeff Kinney and Anthony Horowitz is pleasing to note as they write very 'boy orientated' books and the fact that they are so high on the report bucks the previously perceived 'boys don't read' trend."

The research indicated that the surveyed children had read 2.9 million books in the 12 months ending July 31st, 2011 and that Roald Dahl remains the number one favourite children's author.

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