SCHOOL pupils across Tendring dressed up as their favourite literary characters.

World Book Day is held in March each year and is a registered charity with the mission of giving every child and young person a book of their own.

A bundle of new books was donated to Mayflower Primary School’s library by Morrisons, in Parkeston, to mark the event.

Cally Short, Morrisons community champion, said: “It’s a pleasure to be able to donate these new books to a local school.

“There’s a great selection of books, so every pupil will be able to find a story they will enjoy.”

The books were gifted to the school thanks to a partnership between Morrisons Foundation and the National Literacy Trust, who are working together to encourage 125,000 children across the country to start reading.

Jonathan Douglas, chief executive of the National Literacy Trust, said: “School budgets are stretched; many school libraries are struggling and one in 11 disadvantaged children don’t have a single book of their own at home.

“When children discover a love of reading, they do better at school and later in life, so we must do everything we can to inspire children to fall in love with reading for a lifetime.”