MANY people may have thought their eyes were deceiving them when they caught sight of Peter Pan and Snow White going to school.

But far from being an optical trick, it was part of a borough-wide effort to persuade youngsters to switch off their computer games and TV screens in favour of a good book instead.

Scores of schools have celebrated National Book Day in a bid to instill a love of reading in youngsters - with many telling pupils to come to school dressed as a character from their favourite book.

Each child has received a £1 book voucher to encourage them to see reading as an interesting and enjoyable pastime.

And libraries have also been getting in on the act with book quizzes and other activities to help youngsters experience the magic of reading.

St Peter's Smithills Dean School was one school which really went to town with its book celebrations. Their activities have involved local celebrities, the Mayor and even an author.

Well-known local figures such as Stu Francis, director of education and culture Margaret Blenkinsop and the Mayor, Cllr Cliff Morris, have been in to the school to read stories in their own inimitable styles to children.

Parents have also been in to read favourite children's stories.

Author David Webb, famed for writing such books as The Invisible Patch and Sparky's Return, joined the school for a day to carry out writing workshops with youngsters and to help them with a bookmark competition.

Year Three teacher Alison Slater said: "Children have been going home talking about it to their parents and when the author came in, it was the talk of the playground. Parents have really made the effort so it's been wonderful to see from our point of view.

"It's been great for the kids to hear people from outside of school reading to them. It's been really good for the youngsters to sit and listen - often they don't have that chance. The Mayor coming added a real wow factor."

One day pupils were allowed to go to school dressed as a characters out of a book. Fairy tales were top sources of inspiration. One girl went as Rapunzel and even the two ugly sisters from Cinderella put in an appearance.

Children were given a surprise when staff, including teachers, classroom assistants and lunchtime supervisors arrived at school dressed as characters from the J M Barrie classic Peter Pan - after secretly plotting to surprise youngsters with their fancy dress.

Mrs Slater said: "The youngsters were in the playground when Captain Hook led the pirates out. We were brandishing cutlasses and the children thought it was excellent."

Top o' th' Brow school also held a dressing-up day where both students and staff came dressed as characters from books. Headteacher Chris Caldwell came as children's favourite the Hungry Giant.

Libraries in Bolton compiled a book quiz to celebrate World Book day. The quiz included brain teasing questions such as, which South American country Paddington Bear come from and where Michael Palin has visited of his travels.

Parents in Bolton are also being urged to bring back the habit of the bedtime story. Sue Hoey, co-ordinator of the Bolton Literacy Trust said: "Books can take you anywhere, opening up new possibilities, reading can encourage everyone, whether child or adult to tap into their creativity.

World Book day is marked in over 30 countries to encourage children to explore the pleasures of books and reading.