AN army of Gruffalos, Hermione Grangers, Where’s Wallys, and Cats in Hats invaded schools across East Lancashire yesterday.

Youngsters were urged to dress up as part of World Book Day which, in its 18th year, is more popular than ever, with the event now firmly lodged deep within the public conciousness.

Laura Woods, school librarian at Cedars Infant School in Haworth Street, Blackburn, said most of their students turned up to class wearing pyjamas and carrying Teddy bears and bedtime books.

Teachers dressed as pirates and Wally led assembly, before youngsters did reading activities. Laura said: “The nursery spent the entire day in the library. while Year Six children sat with them. It was a massive success.”

Westholme Nursery and Infant School, in Preston New Road, held a Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book-themed day, with pupils dressing up a range of characters, including headless ghosts.

School secretary Alison Holden said: “The story tells of Charlie Cook who is reading a book about a pirate captain, who is reading a book about Goldilocks, who is reading about a knight, who is reading about a frog. There were plenty of characters for the children to dress up as.”

A Teddy bear’s picnic was held at Holy Souls Roman Catholic Primary School Pleckgate, while other schools included Lower Darwen Primary School, Nook Barn Nursery in Blackburn, St Stephen’s Tockholes in Darwen, and Fernhurst Secondary School, Blackburn.