Books are bound to be fun! That was the message as children across the district dressed up to enjoy activities to celebrate World Book Day.

Classrooms at Skipton’s Greatwood School were filled with characters from Mr Men to mountaineers as each class explored different books.

“It was an amazing day,” said year one teacher Rebecca Carter, whose class dressed up as fairytale characters.

Ings County Primary and Nursery School welcomed storyteller and children’s writer Penny Dolan, whose books include The Mouse’s Tale, Third Elephant and The Tale of White Winter Hollow.

Penny visited each class where she told stories to the younger children and engaged with the older children in writing a Viking saga.

All the children and staff dressed as favourite book characters.

Penny also visited Christ Church School in Skipton, where she faced lots of questions.

At Steeton Primary School, children and staff dressed as characters ranging from Bilbo Baggins to Harry Potter and most also attended armed with a book.

A fancy-dress winner from each class received a book token and the day culminated with a book-themed assembly.

The activities were organised by literacy co-ordinator Susan Whitford. Deputy head teacher Kevin Wheeler said: “The day went very well and everyone – children and staff – enjoyed it. The idea was to foster an encouragement of reading.”

There was a Roald Dahl theme to World Book Day at Kildwick Primary School, where pupils and staff donned costumes portraying characters including The Twits and Oompa Loompas.

“We had various activities centred around books – including sketching characters and the older ones did a fashion show,” said head teacher Debbie Cooksey.

“It was a very successful day.”

Youngsters at Bridge House Day Nursery in Steeton dressed as their favourite book characters, including Gruffalo, Goldilocks, Robin Hood and the scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz.