YOUNGSTERS dressed up as their favourite literary characters during National Book Week.

Pupils at Longleaze County Primary School in Wootton Bassett donned Harry Potter outfits, fairy costumes, Mr Men and Dennis The Menace attire.

Others were dressed as pirates and characters from the popular children’s book The Cat In The Hat.

Each child paid a 50p donation and all the money raised will go towards the creation of the school’s first book shop.

Once the shop is up and running within the next few months, parents and children will be able to buy books at a discounted rate to encourage extra reading.

Headteacher Peter Cousins, who dressed up as a pirate, told the children: “A big thank you to everyone for their efforts –you all looked great.

“Everyone enjoyed themselves on what has been a very successful week.”

On Thursday pupils brought their teddy bears into school for a bears at bedtime read with teachers.

Deputy headteacher Pam Evans, who is also the school’s literacy co-ordinator, added: “It was nice to see pupils and parents alike supporting book week with such enthusiasm.

“This was the fun element of the week, to get the pupils to think about their favourite book.”

The school said the event was well supported by children and parents.

It plans to follow up this latest success with other literacy events in the near future.