FANCY dress helped make reading fun for children celebrating the ninth World Book Day.

The children and staff at Darrick Wood Junior School, Lovibonds Avenue, Orpington, dressed up as their favourite book characters as part of a day of reading activities.

The event was organised by charity World Book Day Ltd, which is run by a committee of booksellers and publishers.

Parents talked about their favourite books and children finished their sponsored read.

Pupils had been sponsored to read a certain amount each day during the two weeks leading up to the day on March 2.

They expect to raise about £1,000 for children's charities Clic Sargent and the Roald Dahl Foundation.

Headteacher James Turvey: "It was an opportunity to have a celebration of books and reading in general."

Darrick Wood Junior School has 378 pupils aged between seven and 11.