And pupils at St Mary's RC Primary School  Horwich certainly had a wizard of a day as they swapped their uniforms for some fantastic costumes inspired by the Wizard of Oz  to celebrate World Book Day.

Teachers also got in on the act, dressing as their favourite book character.

Looking back at World Book Day characters throughout the years

The school celebrated the World Book Day by bringing the classic children's book The Wizard of Oz alive and using it to inspire children to write their own creative pieces.

Headteacher Dominique Hayes, said: “We have a thing that we say, ‘making St Mary’s memories’.

“When the children are older they will always remember days like this.

"If The Wizard of Oz comes on at Christmas when they’re older with their own kids, they’ll say ‘oh I remember when the whole school dressed up as characters from this.’”

She continued: “It’s all about inspiration and motivation.

Children made Wizard of Oz displays to put around the school (Image: Newsquest)

“Hopefully it will help them to create setting, descriptions and character descriptions.

“We saw the impact last year and the writing really improves.”

Gillian Harvey, English lead at the school, added: “At St Mary’s, through immersing children in The Wizard of Oz, we hope to open up a mind of inspired writing ideas and allow children to be creative and develop further their love of writing.”

Schools across Bolton have been celebrating World Book Day, which is designed to  promote reading for pleasure, offering every child and young person the opportunity to have a book of their own.

This morning commuters using the Metrolink found a book waiting to be read by them.

A free book was put on every tram seat to be picked up and enjoyed.