YOUNGSTERS around the town dressed up as book characters to celebrate authors and reading on World Book Day yesterday.

Primary and secondary schools around the town, including Covingham Park Primary, Kingsdown School, Isambard Community School, St Catherine’s Catholic Primary School and St Mary’s School, joined in the celebrations with various activities and events.

At South Marston C of E Primary School youngsters dressed up as characters from teacher Duncan Saunders’ new children’s books, Dinosaurs, Aliens and The Shop That Sells Everything.

The Year 3/4 teacher read excerpts from the book, which was published as an e-book three weeks ago and will be available in print in May.

He said: “My first ever job was working in a family supermarket, which was a great big rambling place and it nearly did sell everything. “I started wondering what it would be like if it really did sell everything. I put the idea on hold for a few years and then I found these publishers who specialise in children’s fantasy literature.

“It went brilliantly. The children reacted really well to the reading and they seemed to enjoy it.”

Students at Churchfields also made the day special by visiting and reading to younger pupils at feeder schools Oaktree Nursery and Primary School and Lainesmead Primary School.

Lorna Dickson, director of faculty for English at Churchfields, said: “My Year 8 class have been having a go at writing their own books, and to celebrate World Book Day we visited Oaktree and they read their books to them.

“They worked hard, used their imaginations and have done some fantastic work.”

Lawn Primary School took the day a step further and celebrated a World Book Week with a special visit from an author, performances from West End in Schools theatre company, and many other reading activities including the launch of a lunchtime Kindle Club.

This morning, youngsters are taking part in a Book Character Parade after dressing up as their favourite characters following a class assembly focusing on the importance of reading.

Kelly James, headteacher at Lawn Primary School, said: “There was a definite buzz around the school this week in particular, with pupils and staff sharing their love of reading and finding exciting ways to raise the profile of reading.

“Children have had many fantastic opportunities from meeting and working with real-life authors to workshops taken by professional actors.”

To pre-order Dinosaurs, Aliens and The Shop That Sells Everything, visit www.ghostlypublishing.co.uk/coming_soon/dinosaurs-aliens-shop-sells-everything.php For more information about World Book Day, visit www.worldbookday.com