THE pages of their favourite books came alive as pupils of Broadstone Middle School dressed as characters in a light-hearted look at literature.

More than 650 youngsters heard how to write books from teacher and crime thriller author Ivan Ruff, script writer Michael Robson and local author John Escott.

They designed book covers, made pop-up books, held poetry readings and invented their own fictional characters.

Then-head teacher David Downing was happy that the day on March 3, 1990, had been a great success.

“A committee of staff worked it all out over a whole year but the enthusiasm of the pupils, and the benefit it has had, has made it all worth while,” said Mr Downing.

Book subjects were diverse, ranging from Toon Time, all about cartoons, to Fun Food, all about creative cookery.