NURSERY rhymes and traditional verses helped bring poetry to life as primary school children celebrated World Book Day.

On Thursday, pupils and staff at St Chad's RC School, in Witton Park, dressed as their favourite characters to entertain the other children and their parents.

Spike Milligan poems and the Owl and the Pussycat were among the most popular pieces on a day that endorsed the school's commitment to reading.

With parents' help, a library has been established at the school, where on Fridays children can read to volunteer Denise Hannon.

Headteacher Catherine Holborn said: "We place great emphasis on books and reading, and poetry has been our theme this term.

"When children bring books back to the library they discuss what they have read and write reviews. It encourages them to go to the public library and borrow books from there as well.

"We have lots of exciting new books at the moment and lots of incentives to encourage the children to read, especially boys who can be reluctant.