CHILDREN from across the area have embraced World Book Day by dressing up as their favourite book characters.

Schools across the Okehampton area invited their pupils to dress up on Thursday March 7 to celebrate the event. World Book Day itself is a celebration of books, authors, illustrators and reading. Designated by UNESCO as a worldwide celebration, the event takes place in over 100 countries across the globe.

The main aim of World Book Day in the UK and Ireland is to encourage children to explore the pleasures of books and reading by providing them with the opportunity to have a book of their own.