West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin this week joined MPs in Westminster to kick off the celebrations for World Book Day.

The MP helped to promote the initiative which will open a new chapter on better literacy for a generation of children. Children up and down the country are today marking the event and celebrating the joy of reading.

Children have been attending school dressed as their favourite book characters and bookshops have been holding special events as part of the annual celebration.

Harriett said:

“Reading for pleasure is so important for us all and World Book Day is a great way to engage young people and encourage them to bury themselves in a love of literature.

“As someone who is now taking great pleasure reading to my grand-children, I’m aware that books are a gift both for the reader and listener.

“I hope that schools in West Worcestershire have a great day and help to spread the word that it is great to read.”