Annual event to encourage children to read for pleasure is sore spot for parents under 'growing pressure' to create character costumes

For years on World Book Day, children have turned up to class dressed as their favourite book characters. But this year, an entire school in Essex was transformed into the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, as featured in the Harry Potter books and films.

The highlight of the day for students and staff at Washington Academy was the grand opening of their new library after the old one was damaged by flooding last year.