GANGSTER grannies and hairy Gruffaloes were just some of the literary characters that put in an appearance at local schools last week as part of World Book Day.

Youngsters were encouraged bring in their favourite book and dress up as their favourite character as part of the initiative to encourage children to read, and many schools had a special programme for the day.

Schools taking part in this year’s event included Mawnan Smith, Stithians, Penryn, Perranarworthal as well as Book based activities included encouraging pupils to read to each other and inviting members of the community into schools to engage with the children about books.

Although Marlborough School in Falmouth didn’t have fancy dress, they still held a Drop Everything and Read Day, with a bell sounded at irregular times throughout the day signalling for everyone to stop what they were doing and read, and at St Francis School in Falmouth parents and grandparents were invited in to read with the children.

Popular costume choices this year included the Gruffalo, teen spy Alex Rider for the boys and Brave’s Princess Merida for the girls, as well as a wide array of historical figures from the Horrible Histories series.

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