LADYBIRDS and flowers were in abundance at a York school as children threw themselves into World Book Day celebrations.

The “garden” theme, set by publisher Scholastic, inspired numerous bright costumes among the 140 children at Heworth Primary School, who dressed up for the occasion. The day was part of a book festival which has been running after school this week.

Author Victoria Campbell visited the school with her new book, Viking Gold, as part of the event, and will also be in Waterstones tomorrow to do a book signing.

Today’s book-focused events will include buddying up younger and older pupils to read together.

Among the various activities also staged was a Design Your Own Garden competition, and a hunt to find a golden ticket in a classroom book, with a £5 voucher for the winner to use at a book fair.