Pupils at Corpusty Primary School celebrated World Book Day this month by organising a giant book swap event.

The children brought in books they had already read and swapped them for different ones brought in by their classmates.

'This is a fun event with a serious message,' said headteacher Pam Thomson.

'We want children to love books and see reading as an enjoyable activity. But we also want to encourage reading to improve their literacy skills. This helps all other areas of the curriculum.'

She added that although some pupils found it hard to give away their favourite books, others brought in bagfuls – and left with bagfuls as well.

There were hundreds of books to choose from, including some for staff and parents who joined in with the swap on March 1.

The school also took part in a non-uniform day and raised �90 for Book Aid International, to send books to children in Africa.