REGULAR lessons were put on hold for the day as two Suffolk primary schools celebrated World Book Day.

REGULAR lessons were put on hold for the day as two Suffolk primary schools celebrated World Book Day.

Broke Hall Primary in Ipswich looked more like a scene from an illustrated story book as children and staff donned the costumes of their favourite literary characters.

Meanwhile, a popular children's author dropped into Woodbridge Primary to read her latest picture book and inspire the youngsters to dream up their own fictional adventures.

Debbie McHugh, year three teacher and literacy co-ordinator at Broke Hall, saw the day as a chance to celebrate books while encouraging children to read more.

“It was a fun packed day involving children from the nursery right up to year six and each pupil was given a �1 book token to be used against the cost of a book,” she commented.

“We wanted to encourage reading and allow the children to appreciate all the fantastic books out there.

“Everyone dressed as their favourite story book character. Years three and four came as Roald Dahl characters, so we had a Willy Wonka and a Matilda. Elsewhere there was a Cruella Deville and a Snow White.”

Woodbridge Primary School was visited by children's author Carolin Hink who brought with her a copy of Miss Louise goes to Paris - her new illustrated book about a teacher who is proposed to by her boyfriend in the city of romance.

The author, whose visit was arranged with the help of Woodbridge bookstore Browsers, read the book to pupils who then designed their very own travel tickets to inspire them to embark on their own literary journeys.

Lynsey Crossley, deputy head teacher, said: “We wanted the children to see how the process of writing a book works and that they don't just appear on the shelves.

“We already have two book groups at the school but also wanted to show the children how lucky they are to have books so readily available to them.”