Children from across Bolton came together this week to take part in a range of World Book Day events, hoping to inspire them to read.

Bolton Library and Museum Services held multiple events in the borough to mark the special day with children dressed up in an array of costumes from the Hungry Caterpillar to Cinderella.

World Book Day took place  and to kick off the library's events, children got their hunting boots on as they tracked down a bear.

Bolton Central Library at Crompton Place Shopping Centre held a story corner for the town’s children at 4pm on Thursday.

Storytellers read out a selection of classic stories to the children.

The Bolton News: Celebrating at the end of the paradeCelebrating at the end of the parade (Image: Newsquest)

Michael Rosen classic We’re Going on a Bear Hunt was one of the stories, with children being led around the library to hunt the bear.

The young hunters then found the bear in its lair and got to meet it.

Children also had a great time in Bolton Museum yesterday, Saturday March 4, as they took part in the World Book Day Costume Parade.

Open to all ages, children dressed up and walked down a 'catwalk' to showcase their costumes to their families sat on either side.

Caroline Hall, Library Access Officer and the organiser of the events said: "World Book Day is a fantastic reminder of how important books are for children.

"Reading a book and opening your creativity, your imagination, you can get lost in it and it's a real form of escapism and it makes kids thinks beyond their boundaries; what can they do, what can they achieve beyond what they have seen already.

The Bolton News: Caroline Hall, Katie Holt and Milly MoranCaroline Hall, Katie Holt and Milly Moran (Image: Newsquest)

"It is such an inspiring day to go here you go, here are books and celebrate.

"We did a parade before a couple of years ago pre-pandemic just for schools and what we thought was actually, everyone gets to wear these fantastic costumes on Thursday but they only use them once so why not get them out again, come down to the library, show everybody off and everyone taking part gets a prize.

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"We've had really positive responses everyone has loved it."

Every child who participated received a certificate and a World Book Day token and two little ones won special prizes.

Amara Atcha, one, who dressed up as the Hungry Caterpillar and Frederick Laschkari, four, dressed as a robot, both won the special prizes.

Isabelle Atcha, Amara's mum, said: "These events show the importance of reading together and coming together and celebrating. It gives the chance for kids to express themselves, enjoy and socialise."

The Bolton News: Winners Amara and Frederick with their mumsWinners Amara and Frederick with their mums (Image: Newsquest)

The children thoroughly enjoyed the day as they danced and walked down in the parade as their loved ones watched on.

Created by UNESCO in 1995, World Book Day aims to celebrate and encourage reading for pleasure.

The first World Book Day in the UK and Ireland took place in 1997 to encourage young people to discover the pleasure of reading.