DRAGONS, tigers, superheroes and even the odd Wally turned up to schools across the Cotswolds and the Vale to celebrate World Book Day.

The much anticipated annual event took place last week and was a sight to behold at many schools as they were full of well loved book characters.

At Bredon Hill Middle School pupils and teachers alike took the opportunity to dress as book characters including Billionaire Boy and the Worst Witch. They also took part in a quiz about teachers favourite childhood books and a bookmark competition is being run by librarians at the school.

Staff and students from Pershore High School dressed up and enjoyed other activities, including a book exchange, and readings from authors.

At Bengeworth First School in Evesham teacher Virginia Tillotson said every child got involved.

"Every group took part in the cat walk to show off their costumes," she said. There was also a book shop, question time and book fair at the school.

Illustrator, Rachel Annie Brigden, visited Bredon School, to talk to students about how the illustration process works and inspire their interest in books from a different angle.

Libby Bowness, of Year 5, said: "It was really interesting to see how a picture gets in to a book, I’d like to be an illustrator one day."

In the Cotswolds Walkers Day Nursery, in Moreton, welcomed Richard Kemp, who owns Christmas Birds and Books, to the nursery for a story session last week and read their favourite story, Shark in the Park.

Mr Kemp visited many primary schools last week including Longborough, Kitebrook and St David's in Moreton and read to the children.

Caroline Koenig, nursery owner, said: “This was a fantastic opportunity for the children to meet Richard and form good links with the book shop which provides good community engagement for all ages”.

Over the county boarder, youngsters and staff at Winchcombe Farm Day Nursery, in Upper Tysoe, dressed up as dragons, tigers, princesses and knights as part of the celebrations.

Rachel Giorgio, Winchcombe Farm Day Nursery manager, said: "Our event was a fun way to get our children’s imaginations fired up and encourage them to be avid readers.”

Meanwhile, students at the Cotswold School in Bourton were visited by Red Dwarf actor, presenter and comedian, Robert Llewellyn as part of the school’s annual Book Week celebrations.

And they were even treated to a preview of a £75,000 luxury electric car, which the actor brought along.

An electric vehicle enthusiast, Mr Llewellyn spoke to students about the future of energy, sustainability and the potential of battery technology.

Tim Redding, Head of Science, said: ‘It was great to be able to have a speaker like Robert Llewellyn visit the school and to see Tesla’s magnificent car first-hand."