Children in world of fiction

BIG Friendly Giant . . . Alfie Stott as The BFG with Lynisia Leatherbarrow as Sophie at St Joseph's

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FROM the Big Friendly Giant to Sherlock Holmes, book lovers celebrated their favourite fictional characters once again for World Book Day.

Schools, nurseries and libraries across the country marked the event to celebrate its 20th anniversary yesterday, which saw students and teachers alike dressed up as characters from their most-loved books.

It was a Roald Dahl-themed day at St Joseph's Primary School. Characters such as "The Twits" and "The BFG" came to life at the Shaw school, as they fought over a giant chocolate bar from Willie Wonka's chocolate factory.

Wally was found at Crompton House School in Shaw, while Sherlock Holmes hunted for books.

World Book Day was designated by UNESCO as a worldwide celebration of books and reading, and is marked in more than 100 countries.