THE snowy weather outside didn’t get in the way of pupils and teachers who celebrated World Book Day yesterday.

Children and adults at Lee Chapel Primary School in Basildon dressed-up as their favourite characters from their favourite books before heading into school.

While many schools up and down the country closed their doors due to the wintery weather, the Basildon primary school stayed open.

The decision meant that children at the school were able to celebrate World Book Day – an annual bonanza of reading, authors, books and illustrators which attempts to encourages children to pick-up a book and start reading.

It saw children turn up in all sorts of costumes including characters from Toy Story and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

This is the 21st year that World Book Day has been held and sees children explore books and the adventures they have to tell.

Nurseries, primary schools and secondary schools across Essex which have registered to take part in the event have been sent book tokens and resource packs.

The packs are full of ideas and displays about how children and teachers could make the most of World Book Day.

More information about what World Book Day is all about is available by visiting www.worldbookday.com/about/