Young bookworms across the region dressed up as their favourite literary characters for World Book Day.

Schoolchildren at hundreds of schools dressed up today (Thursday, March 7), swapping school uniform for fancy dress for the annual World Book Day celebration.

Proud parents were quick to share pictures with The Northern Echo of their youngsters in costume for the event.

Among them were kids dressed as Harry Potter, Matilda and the Gruffalo.

County Durham’s former Gogglebox star Scarlett Moffatt also shared a snap of son Jude dressed as Michael Bond’s Paddington.

The Northern Echo: Scarlett Moffatt's son Jude, 8 months, as Paddington.Scarlett Moffatt's son Jude, 8 months, as Paddington. (Image: SCARLETT MOFFATT)

The event, first celebrated in the UK in 1998, is held on the first Thursday of March each year and every child in full-time education is given a voucher to be spent on books.

World Book Day has previously drawn controversy over claims some parents can get overly competitive with costumes and kids from lower income families can feel left out.

Take a look at some of the impressive outfits on show

The Northern Echo: Pupils from Ingleton CofE Primary School celebrate World Book Day.Pupils from Ingleton CofE Primary School celebrate World Book Day. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

The Northern Echo: Amelia-Rose, 5, as Horrid Henry.Amelia-Rose, 5, as Horrid Henry. (Image: LAUREN CLARKE/FB)

The Northern Echo: Archie, 5, as Harry Potter.Archie, 5, as Harry Potter. (Image: CAMILLE HAMILTON/FB)

The Northern Echo: Benjamin, 3, as Pinocchio.Benjamin, 3, as Pinocchio. (Image: LISA BATEMAN/FB)

The Northern Echo: Pupils at Ingleton CofE Primary School celebrate World Book Day.Pupils at Ingleton CofE Primary School celebrate World Book Day. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

The Northern Echo: Bertie as The Hungry Caterpillar.Bertie as The Hungry Caterpillar. (Image: LYNSEY HULL/FB)

The Northern Echo: Cater, 6, and Robyn, 3, as Harry Potter and Goldilocks.Cater, 6, and Robyn, 3, as Harry Potter and Goldilocks. (Image: GRACE DEAKIN/FB)

The Northern Echo: Charlie, 6, as Woody from Toy Story.Charlie, 6, as Woody from Toy Story. (Image: CATHERINE ANNE TYLER/FB)

The Northern Echo: Charlie-Thomas, 8, as Wally.Charlie-Thomas, 8, as Wally. (Image: KERRY BRITTON/FB)

The Northern Echo: Emmy Nicholson, 10, as Primrose Everdeen from The Hunger Games.Emmy Nicholson, 10, as Primrose Everdeen from The Hunger Games. (Image: KATIE NICHOLSON/FB)

The Northern Echo: Grace Vipond, 7, as a Dalmatian from 101 Dalmatians.Grace Vipond, 7, as a Dalmatian from 101 Dalmatians. (Image: RACHEL CASTER/FB)

The Northern Echo: Gracie, 9 months, and Ralphie, 3, as Paddington.Gracie, 9 months, and Ralphie, 3, as Paddington. (Image: SHELBEY BAINBRIDGE/FB)

The Northern Echo: Harry, 5, as The Gruffalo.Harry, 5, as The Gruffalo. (Image: EMMA BREWSTER/FB)

The Northern Echo: Imogen and Layla both as Wednesday Addams.Imogen and Layla both as Wednesday Addams. (Image: JACQUELINE GRAVES)

The Northern Echo: Isabella, 7, as Little Red Riding Hood.Isabella, 7, as Little Red Riding Hood. (Image: LOUISE ELMER)

The Northern Echo: Isla, 4, as Matilda.Isla, 4, as Matilda. (Image: STACEY CRANG/FB)

The Northern Echo: Lexi-Rose, 5, as Mary Poppins.Lexi-Rose, 5, as Mary Poppins. (Image: ANNMARIE WRIGHT/FB)

The Northern Echo: Lottie, 7, as Betty O'Barley from The Scarecrows' Wedding.Lottie, 7, as Betty O'Barley from The Scarecrows' Wedding. (Image: AMY AUSTIN/FB)

The Northern Echo: Madilyn, 5, as Alice from Alice in Wonderland.Madilyn, 5, as Alice from Alice in Wonderland. (Image: AIMEE NIXON/FB)

The Northern Echo: Mason, 6, as The Stick Man.Mason, 6, as The Stick Man. (Image: RACHEL LEE/FB)

The Northern Echo: Nellie and Eli, both 4, as Cinderella and Prince Charming.Nellie and Eli, both 4, as Cinderella and Prince Charming. (Image: STACEY TEMPLE/FB)

The Northern Echo: Olivia as Peter Pan.Olivia as Peter Pan. (Image: LEIGH WILLIAMS/FB)

The Northern Echo: Oscar, 9, as Zog.Oscar, 9, as Zog. (Image: KIRSTY ORTON/FB)

The Northern Echo: River and Mabel McCluskey, 2 and 5, as Veruca Salt and Willy Wonka.River and Mabel McCluskey, 2 and 5, as Veruca Salt and Willy Wonka. (Image: SAMANTHA HARDY/FB)

The Northern Echo: River, 4, as Matilda.River, 4, as Matilda. (Image: DANIKA STEPHENSON/FB)

The Northern Echo: River and Alice, both 10, as Charlotte from Charlotte's Web.River and Alice, both 10, as Charlotte from Charlotte's Web. (Image: CLARE YATES/FB)

The Northern Echo: Ruby, 4, as Elsa.Ruby, 4, as Elsa. (Image: EMMA MOSS KIRTON/FB)

The Northern Echo: Tracy Dobson's grandson, 5, as Harry Potter.Tracy Dobson's grandson, 5, as Harry Potter. (Image: TRACY DOBSON/FB)

The Northern Echo: Willow, 4, as Hermione Granger from Harry Potter.Willow, 4, as Hermione Granger from Harry Potter. (Image: NATALIE LOUISE SCOTT/FB)