CHILDREN from Wyre Forest were dressing up as their favourite characters in celebration of World Book Day last week.

World Book Day, which took place on Thursday, March 5, is a celebration of authors, illustrators, books and most importantly, a celebration of reading. It is the biggest celebration of its kind, as a worldwide celebration marked in over 100 countries all over the world.

Pupils at Burlish Park Primary School, in Stourport, came together to appreciate reading. Children came to school dressed as their favourite characters, and the school had everyone from the Very Hungry Caterpillar, to Alex Rider.

Roz Subert, head of English, said: “It was wonderful for the children to have a whole day to explore for themselves a love of reading. Many children left school today with a knowledge and a burst of enthusiasm for new books waiting to be read.”

At Little Trinity Nursery, on Birmingham Road, the children took part in a book swap, where they all brought in a good quality unwanted book from home, to swap with another child from the nursery. All the children went home with a new book to share with their families.

Gaynor Carter, nursery manger, said: “World Book Day is thoroughly enjoyed by all, story time is always a popular activity that engages with children and offers opportunities to encourage communication and speaking and listening skills.

“The children loved to dress up in their favourite characters and all took great pride in showing off their costumes to their friends.”

Kidderminster’s branch of Sainsbury’s also joined in on the day, by holding a reading corner for children from Franche Primary School. The children dressed up as their favourite book characters for the special event, while they were read extracts from Roo the Roaring Dinosaur.

Jo Pocierznicki, PR ambassador for Sainsbury’s, said: “The children from Franche Primary School had some brilliant costumes.

“World Book Day is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate reading and the event was a great success.”

Parents in the area sent their pictures in to the Shuttle to show their children in their costumes for the day, including, Annabelle Standing, 5, from St Catherine’s CE Primary School dressed up as the BFG and Dylan Swansborough, 8, from Sutton Park Community Primary School, was Willy Wonka.

To view our full gallery of pictures of World Book Day 2015 in Wyre Forest, click HERE.