HEROES and villains from popular children's stories have been brought to life in a fundraising fancy dress day.

Pupils at St Patrick's RC School, in Consett, came to school dressed as their favourite characters.

The youngsters and staff who took part each paid 50p to dress up.

The money raised will go to Book Aid International, which sends books to developing countries.

The event was part of a week of activities to promote World Book Day, today.

Parents, governors and grandparents gave up their time to come into school and read extracts from favourite books from their childhood.

Teachers also took pupils to the offices of a newspaper and visited a library and a book shop in Consett.

Headteacher Ted Young said: "We organised the week of activities to give out the message to children of the importance of books and reading.

"Everyone has got involved, from parents and governors, to teachers and even the secretary."