BOOKS are in no danger of dying out if these literary fans have anything to do with it.

World Book Day on Thursday saw a colourful cast of characters from children’s stories taking part in talks, readathons, writing contests and fancy dress parades at schools and bookshops throughout Oxfordshire.

Some were even joined by well-known writers at events celebrating reading and writing.

Children’s author Julie Hearn presented prizes to the winners of a fancy dress contest at Headington School, casting an eye over a collection of Pippi Longstockings, Pooh Bears and even a Giant Peach.

“Everything you hear and see becomes a possible story,” she told her audience.

Earlier in the week a Hollywood scriptwriter and author of a new Tarzan novel visited Henry Box School in Witney.

On Tuesday, Andy Briggs, who also wrote the series Hero.com and Villain.net, spoke to 350 year seven and eight students about his career and encouraged them to write.

Mr Briggs, who lives in East Sussex, said: “It was a fantastic event. The kids were really enthusiastic and it went wonderfully well.

“The message was ‘I am a kid from Liverpool who managed to do this and if I can do, it you can do it’.”

Henry Box student Emma Nichol, 12, of Witney, said: “It was really good and really inspiring.

“I like writing and reading and I am considering becoming an author when I grow up.”

Others celebrating World Book Day included Rye St Antony School in Headington where pupils began a three-week sponsored readathon.

A Lively Library competition lit up lunchtime in the library at Larkmead School, Abingdon, while at Wheatley Park School pupils marked the day with a Drop Everything and Read session.

Barefoot Books in Banbury Road, Summertown, Oxford, shared World Book Day with school children from Northern House School, Summertown.

l Oxford is currently bidding to become Unesco World Book Capital in 2014.

Cities from around the world must submit their bids by Friday, April 27, 2012.

No other UK city has announced it is competing for the title, and the winner will be announced in summer 2012.