COLOURFUL characters at a Darlington school were joined by a senior councillor to celebrate World Book Day.

Cyndi Hughes, lead member for children and young people, joined children and staff at St Augustine’s Academy today (March 5) to mark the international day celebrating books.

Pupils donned literary-themed fancy dress and took their favourite books into school to share with each other.

Cllr Hughes embraced the spirit of the day by dressing as Fidgety Bridget Wrigglesworth – a character from a Monstrous Morals book written by Northern Echo editor Peter Barron.

Cllr Hughes read extracts to the children and said World Book Day was a great way for youngsters to share their enthusiasm and joy of reading.

She added: “Literacy is not just about producing employable adults, important as that may be.

“It is about supporting young people to grow into adults capable of richer lives, capable of engaging fully in society.

“Reading opens the door to connecting not just with our contemporaries but with anyone who has ever written in the languages we speak.

“I am privileged to be able to spend part of World Book Day with other lovers of books at St. Augustine’s Academy.”

It is the twelfth consecutive year that Cllr Hughes has visited a school or nursery on World Book Day in order to promote reading and the vital importance of literacy.

Other World Book Day events in the town included library staff dressing as literary characters, Deefor Dragon visiting various venues, story time in the Dolphin Centre and the mobile library stopping at Joseph Pease place, along with face-painting for children.