PUPILS at Winkleigh Primary School delved into their dressing-up boxes last week to celebrate World Book Day on March 1.

Children and staff at the school all came to school dressed up as historical figures and characters. Among those filling the school halls were a Roman centurion, Cleopatra, Princess Diana and a suffragette. Pupils also enjoyed a special themed school lunch.

World Book Day celebrates its 15th year in 2012. It celebrates reading, authors, illustrators, and books in general. It is marked in over 100 countries across the world, and is the biggest worldwide literacy event of the year.

The main aim of World Book Day in the UK is to encourage children to explore the pleasures of books and reading by providing them with an opportunity to have a book of their own.

More than 14 million £1 book tokens are given out by National Book Tokens Ltd to encourage children to enjoy reading. Children can take their token to a local bookseller and pick one of eight new and exclusive books for free, or put it toward any book over £2.99.