FROM the wizarding world of Harry Potter to the enchanting tales of Cinderella, hundreds of pupils across Swindon dressed up as their favourite characters for World Book Day yesterday.

The annual event, which has become increasingly popular in recent years, sees pupils coming to school dressed as their favourite literary characters for a day of reading-inspired activities.

Each school celebrated the occasion in their own way and at St Francis Church of England Primary, every single pupil and member of staff came to school dressed as their most-loved character.

Deputy headteacher Hester Millsop said: “The children were involved in a whole range of creative activities yesterday to help their reading skills and we promote reading throughout the year.

“We are very much a school that likes reading, and for World Book Day there were lots of different outfits and there was quite a lot of excitement from the children coming into the school, so it is wonderful to see so many of them engaged with books.

“World Book Day is a very important part of our school calendar and so it is great when we can get everyone involved.”

Other schools followed suit and saw pupils come into school dressed as superheroes, princesses as well as a whole host of other much-loved characters, while other schools tried their hand at something new to get youngsters interested in reading.

Isambard Community School hosted an interactive session with poet Luke Wright, who helped students work on their writing technique.

Haydon Wick Primary sent their pupils to North Swindon Library to listen to a storyteller as well as hosting a parent reading workshop.

Principal Aine Gale said: “We have tried to encourage our children to join the library as well and we have sent them all home with library forms so they can continue their reading outside of school.

“The children love stories and the staff said all of the pupils who went to the library had a fantastic time. Even our children who find it hard to sit still found it brilliant because the whole thing was fun and, as a school, we try to have story time at the end of every day because we think it is very beneficial.

“The lovely thing about the trip to the library is that it was provided free of charge as the library organised for the storyteller to talk to the children.”