PUPILS at a Teesdale school brought a touch of magic to their World Book Day celebrations by dressing up as their favourite characters from the Harry Potter books.

Children and staff at Bowes Hutchinson CE School recreated the magical world of J K Rowling's young sorcerer, which was recently brought to the big-screen in the Hollywood blockbuster Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.

To make the day more authentic, staff from Kirkleatham Owl Centre brought along four of their birds, including an American great-horned owl.

As part of the celebrations for World Book Day, which was marked by schools around the region, the pupils took part in a readathon and each child was asked to collect sponsorship for taking part. World Book Day has also been supported by children's author Anne Fine, from Barnard Castle, who launched the Home Library Project this week, which encourages children to build up their own library at home.