COLOURFUL costumes were the order of the day as schools and playgroups in Malvern, Bosbury and Newent celebrated World Book Day.

Students at Malvern St James, the girls' school in Avenue Road, let their imaginations run wild, taking inspiration from fairytales, Dr Seuss and Harry Potter, among others.

Youngsters at Happy Turtles playgroup in Dymock marked the day by getting on the bus and paying a visit to the public library in nearby Newent.

The children explored the children's area of the library before having some stories read to them, and taking home forms enabling them to join the library.

And at Newent Community School, budding authors among the students got top tips when best-selling author Jamila Gavin paid visit.

The prize-winning writer shared secrets of the success which secured her the coveted Whitbread Children’s Book prize when she ran workshops and gave a talk to students.

Librarian Deborah Gibbons who organised the event said: “Everyone taking part got a lot out of it, she got all the students writing, inspiring them with starter sentences. She let them know that, even if at first you don’t succeed, you can be a writer if you keep at it.”

Pupil Charlotte Parry, aged 12, who spends much of her free time writing, said: “She gave an inspirational speech. I want to be a writer myself and she showed me it’s possible, that even if not everyone likes your books there’ll be people out there who do. She showed me that characters in books can be anyone, not just the types you often think of.”

Natalie Harris, 12, said: “It was exciting having a real author coming in, you don’t normally see them in real life. I’m now inspired to read some of her books.”

Molly Tuck, 12, said: “She inspired me that if you want to pursue something, go straight for it and don’t let anyone stop you.”