SCHOOLS yesterday celebrated the written word with events to encourage youngsters to read.

World Book Day was marked with themed reading activities to spark enthusiasm, even among disinterested youngsters.

Based on an old Catalan tradition, in which roses and books were given as gifts to loved ones, Unesco has designated World Book Day as an official celebration for the past 12 years.

While most of the other 100-plus participating countries will mark the occasion next month, the UK and Irish celebration was staged yesterday, to ensure it fell during school term-time.

Among the schools staging fancy-dress events was Browney Primary, near Durham. Youngsters, and members of staff, donned costumes of well-known figures from children's fiction.

Pupils dressed as characters from books ranging from Harry Potter to Beatrix Potter, Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland.

Durham Gilesgate Primary invited members of the community to come in to read to the children for the day.

Among those taking up the offer were local Durham county and city councillor Dennis Southwell, Durham University psychology professor Joe Elliott, fire brigade community officer Dave Turnbull, optician Simon Berry, local clergy members and a veterinarian.

They read to up to 200 children, across age groups from three to 11.

Headteacher Mark Turner said having different voices reading added to the flavour of the occasion and helped to grab the children's attention.

Yesterday's events were sponsored by National Book Tokens, and backed by the Booksellers' Association, which put together a list of ten popular books which were made available for £1 each.