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.
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
Pupils from Ingleton CofE Primary School celebrate World Book Day. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
Amelia-Rose, 5, as Horrid Henry. (Image: LAUREN CLARKE/FB)
Archie, 5, as Harry Potter. (Image: CAMILLE HAMILTON/FB)
Benjamin, 3, as Pinocchio. (Image: LISA BATEMAN/FB)
Pupils at Ingleton CofE Primary School celebrate World Book Day. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
Bertie as The Hungry Caterpillar. (Image: LYNSEY HULL/FB)
Cater, 6, and Robyn, 3, as Harry Potter and Goldilocks. (Image: GRACE DEAKIN/FB)
Charlie, 6, as Woody from Toy Story. (Image: CATHERINE ANNE TYLER/FB)
Charlie-Thomas, 8, as Wally. (Image: KERRY BRITTON/FB)
Emmy Nicholson, 10, as Primrose Everdeen from The Hunger Games. (Image: KATIE NICHOLSON/FB)
Grace Vipond, 7, as a Dalmatian from 101 Dalmatians. (Image: RACHEL CASTER/FB)
Gracie, 9 months, and Ralphie, 3, as Paddington. (Image: SHELBEY BAINBRIDGE/FB)
Harry, 5, as The Gruffalo. (Image: EMMA BREWSTER/FB)
Imogen and Layla both as Wednesday Addams. (Image: JACQUELINE GRAVES)
Isabella, 7, as Little Red Riding Hood. (Image: LOUISE ELMER)
Isla, 4, as Matilda. (Image: STACEY CRANG/FB)
Lexi-Rose, 5, as Mary Poppins. (Image: ANNMARIE WRIGHT/FB)
Lottie, 7, as Betty O'Barley from The Scarecrows' Wedding. (Image: AMY AUSTIN/FB)
Madilyn, 5, as Alice from Alice in Wonderland. (Image: AIMEE NIXON/FB)
Mason, 6, as The Stick Man. (Image: RACHEL LEE/FB)
Nellie and Eli, both 4, as Cinderella and Prince Charming. (Image: STACEY TEMPLE/FB)
Olivia as Peter Pan. (Image: LEIGH WILLIAMS/FB)
Oscar, 9, as Zog. (Image: KIRSTY ORTON/FB)
River and Mabel McCluskey, 2 and 5, as Veruca Salt and Willy Wonka. (Image: SAMANTHA HARDY/FB)
River, 4, as Matilda. (Image: DANIKA STEPHENSON/FB)
River and Alice, both 10, as Charlotte from Charlotte's Web. (Image: CLARE YATES/FB)
Ruby, 4, as Elsa. (Image: EMMA MOSS KIRTON/FB)
Tracy Dobson's grandson, 5, as Harry Potter. (Image: TRACY DOBSON/FB)
Willow, 4, as Hermione Granger from Harry Potter. (Image: NATALIE LOUISE SCOTT/FB)
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