A global celebration of authors, illustrators, books and reading was marked in more than 100 countries on Thursday last week.

Schools and libraries around the county got into the spirit of World Book Day by dressing up and swapping stories.

At St John’s and Cedarwood primary schools, children and staff dressed as their favourite book characters for the day.

St John’s headteacher Janita Betts said: “We had a vast array of books covered and a lot of different genres.

“We had competitions for the best costume in each class and then they went through to a whole school competition.”

The winner was a boy dressed as Bear Grylls, inspired by the adventurer’s autobiography.

Mrs Betts said: “We had the older children reading to the younger children.

“Everyone was able to share why they were dressed as that character and they all had to bring the book in as well.”

Literacy co-ordinator Tom Gunson from Cedarwood said: “The children had a really good day and the effort put into the costumes was fantastic.

“The whole school celebrated World Book Day by focussing on a book called Tuesday by David Wiesner.”

Stoke Library welcomed 80 children for fancy dress and storytelling and 25 youngsters at Ipswich County Library made Gruffalo masks, listened to stories and had a sing-a-long.

A spokesman for Suffolk Libraries said: “It was great to see so many people reading together and using stories to generate lots of fun activities.”

n Children can still pick up their free World Book Day £1 Book Token from all Suffolk Libraries until March 24. The tokens can be exchanged for one of eight specially published World Book Day £1 Books.