Libraries across Swindon will celebrate a classic children’s book creation over the next week.

National Elmer Day is on tomorrow and will be marked with fun activities for youngsters from Saturday until Thursday, June 1.

These days will be celebrated with story times where little ones are invited to join in by dressing in their brightest colours, crafting and colouring activities and a rock party where children will be encouraged to decorate a rock and drop it in areas of Swindon.

West Swindon Library held its event yesterday as it was its weekly story time.

The Central Library hosted one last Tuesday but because of a great turnout it is holding another story time today.

Sara Rigby, outreach librarian for Penhill Library, said: “All of the libraries in Swindon love hosting this day because it really has a positive effect on the kids, they engage all the time with story time.

“Kids have favourite characters that they familiarise themselves with and Elmer the elephant is very popular.”

The day celebrates Elmer the Patchwork Elephant, who was created by author David McKee nearly 30 years ago.