World Book Day was marked in schools and nurseries across Wiltshire with children enjoying activities ranging from bedtime story sessions to fancy dress.

The international day, held on Thursday, is now in its eighth year.

At Warminster School, pupils paid a donation to dress up as their favourite literary character, with all the money going to help 16-year-old pupils James Bremner and George Barsby, who are off to South Africa after their GCSEs to work with disadvantaged communities.

The two boys will be helping out with food distribution and teaching in schools as part of the Soul Survivor exhibition.

About half of the £1,200 they need to raise was collected during the event, at which headmaster Martin Priestley and head of Warminster Prep School, David Edwards, dressed as Batman and Robin.

At Horningsham Primary School, children got the chance to dress up and be read to by teachers, parents, grandparents and members of the village community. Popular outfits included a Mad Hatter and two bad tempered ladybirds.

One parent read popular children’s books translated into French.

Karen Bannister, from the school, said: “We were really pleased. We had lots of people from the local community to read stories to the children. Some of our visitors brought in their own books to read, while others read books the children chose.”

Children were invited back in the evening for bedtime stories complete with pyjamas, teddy bears and a hot chocolate.

At Chapmanslade Primary School, children made book-themed hats and took part in a book swap, while at The Mead Primary School in Hilperton children donned an array of fancy dress outfits.

Pupils at Wingfield Primary School arrived for classes in their pyjamas and dressing gowns to hear bedtime stories.

Author James Smith, headteacher at Preshute Primary School in Manton, near Marlborough, told pupils his own story of ‘Grimbelcher - the last of the red dragons’, although some of the scarier bits were toned down for the visiting pre-school children.

Staff at Longscroft Children’s Nursery in Trowle Common, near Trowbridge, joined the children by rooting through their cupboards for fancy dress costumes.

Manager Tina Ritson said: “We had all sorts of costumes including Peppa Pig and a couple of pirates and some Mr Men. Mr Messy kept losing his wool, which ended up all over the nursery. By the end of the day he didn’t have much wool left on him.”