BOOKWORMS at a Worces-ter school were inspired to read by local celebrities on World Book Day.

Pupils at Elgar Techno-logy College, Bilford Road, were visited yesterday by Worcester Warriors rugby players, city mayor Coun Iam Imray, and representatives from local football and cricket teams.

The county celebrities were on hand to talk about their own reading experiences and to launch the school's new reading sch-eme, where pupils from year 10 and seven are paired up to encourage each other to get stuck into a book.

Librarian Wendy Phelps organised the scheme after being inspired by stories of a similar one in the West Country. "It encourages friendship as well as reading," she said.

Other city schools also took part in the World Book Day. At Pitmaston Primary School, St John's, and Fly-ford Flavell First School, Harry Potter, Charlotte from Charlotte's Web and Scooby Doo were among the famous book characters making an appearance as pupils and staff dressed up for the day. Also joining in the fun were St Mary's Convent, Battenhall, and Warndon Primary School.

Meanwhile, Pupils at Bishop Perowne High Sch-ool met the author John Townsend.

SEE WORLD BOOK DAY IN GALLERY FOR MORE PICTURES