Today is World Book Day and children all over the country are dressing up as their favourite book characters.

World Book Day takes place every year on the first Thursday in March as a national celebration of books and reading.

Every child in full-time education receives a voucher to spend on books, with schools across the UK taking part in special activities to celebrate.

Echo readers were asked to send us in pictures of what their youngsters were going to school dressed as today, and they shared some great costumes from across Essex.

From Sirius Black to Vivienne Westwood and even a sausage roll, children got really creative this year.

Greg the Sausage Roll

Tommy Ingram, 4, of Southend, ditched Spider-Man and other popular superheroes to go as LadBaby's Greg the Sausage Roll.

Echo:

Vivienne Westwood

Echo:

21-month-old Sofia dressed up as fashion icon Vivienne Westwood.

Sirius Black

Echo:

Bowie Fiore, 7, from Sacred Heart Primary School, dressed up as Sirius Black from Harry Potter.

Oompa Loompa

Echo: Jodie Bedford's youngster Grace went as an Oompa Loompa.

Peppa Pig and Isabela from Encanto

Echo: Reeva Jay, 2, and Nellie Jay, 4, as Peppa Pig and Isabela from Encanto.

Nanny McPhee

Echo:

Marnie Jones told mum Lucy:  "I want to be Nanny Mcphee, I want warts on my face, a big eyebrow and grandad's stick!"

Slappy from Goosebumps

Echo: Tobie, 10, dressed up as Slappy from the Goosebumps series.

Scroll down to see more great costumes - and find out how to send in your photos

Community answers

Did your children dress up for World Book Day?

"Send us your best photos of your child(ren) dressed up for World Book Day 2024 to be featured online!"

We asked for your responses - this is what you sent.

From Heather dewson

Did your child(ren) dress up for World Book Day? Share your photo here!

Echo: Meet men in Black with his princess bellMeet men in Black with his princess bell

From Lorna Swindell

Did your child(ren) dress up for World Book Day? Share your photo here!

Echo: William Swindell, age 10, as Marty McFlyWilliam Swindell, age 10, as Marty McFly

From Shannon white

Did your child(ren) dress up for World Book Day? Share your photo here!

Echo: Little bo peep from Toy StoryLittle bo peep from Toy Story

From Shannon white

Did your child(ren) dress up for World Book Day? Share your photo here!

Echo: Gretchen from mean girlsGretchen from mean girls

From Sam Langford

Did your child(ren) dress up for World Book Day? Share your photo here!

Echo: Albie love as billionaire boyAlbie love as billionaire boy

From Lorna Swindell

Did your child(ren) dress up for World Book Day? Share your photo here!

Echo: Ava Swindell, age 5, as Jemima Puddle-DuckAva Swindell, age 5, as Jemima Puddle-Duck

From Lorna Swindell

Did your child(ren) dress up for World Book Day? Share your photo here!

Echo: Noah Swindell age 8 as Captain Edward John SmithNoah Swindell age 8 as Captain Edward John Smith

From Natalie Wicks

Did your child(ren) dress up for World Book Day? Share your photo here!

Echo: Taron Wicks aged 3. Dressed as Woody sitting with all his Toy Story friends.Taron Wicks aged 3. Dressed as Woody sitting with all his Toy Story friends.

From Ellie Carter

Did your child(ren) dress up for World Book Day? Share your photo here!

Echo: Spiderman, Batman and Dorothy!Spiderman, Batman and Dorothy!

From Alanna Sargeant

Did your child(ren) dress up for World Book Day? Share your photo here!

Echo: Ellis age 4 Dressed up as 101 Dalmatians.Ellis age 4 Dressed up as 101 Dalmatians.

From Jaimie Turner

Did your child(ren) dress up for World Book Day? Share your photo here!

Echo: Flynn aged 3 dressed as Peter RabbitFlynn aged 3 dressed as Peter Rabbit
Echo: Adalyn aged 5 dressed as Alice in WonderlandAdalyn aged 5 dressed as Alice in Wonderland

From Caroline joyce

Did your child(ren) dress up for World Book Day? Share your photo here!

Echo: Finley age 8 from RomfordFinley age 8 from Romford

From natalie wright

Did your child(ren) dress up for World Book Day? Share your photo here!

Echo: Ava Wright Age 9 Ready for quidditch! quidditch player , Harry potterAva Wright Age 9 Ready for quidditch! quidditch player , Harry potter

From Dawn

Did your child(ren) dress up for World Book Day? Share your photo here!

Echo: Clark piper 10 stick man We like to keep with the Julie Donaldson theme each year.Clark piper 10 stick man We like to keep with the Julie Donaldson theme each year.

From Karen Bysouth

Did your child(ren) dress up for World Book Day? Share your photo here!

Echo: Harry Aged 8Harry Aged 8

From Community contributor

Did your child(ren) dress up for World Book Day? Share your photo here!

Echo: Lottie and ReggieLottie and Reggie

From Lisa Baglietto

Did your child(ren) dress up for World Book Day? Share your photo here!

Echo: Shakira Baglietto - her school theme was Alice in wonderland. She later doned some cat ears and went as the Cheshire Cat.Shakira Baglietto - her school theme was Alice in wonderland. She later doned some cat ears and went as the Cheshire Cat.

From Gill Hood

Did your child(ren) dress up for World Book Day? Share your photo here!

Echo: Flynn left and Jack on the right celebrated World Book Day with Alice in Wonderland.  Meet one Queen of Hearts Guard and a Mad Hatter!Flynn left and Jack on the right celebrated World Book Day with Alice in Wonderland. Meet one Queen of Hearts Guard and a Mad Hatter!

From Mandy Gillatt

Did your child(ren) dress up for World Book Day? Share your photo here!

Echo: My granddaughter willow Hunter aged 6 World book day from the book  five minutes peaceMy granddaughter willow Hunter aged 6 World book day from the book five minutes peace

From Amie Mason

Did your child(ren) dress up for World Book Day? Share your photo here!

Echo: World book day ready ?Stanley Mason age 6World book day ready ?Stanley Mason age 6

From Chloe Burrows

Did your child(ren) dress up for World Book Day? Share your photo here!

Echo: Winnie the witch & Wilbur the catWinnie the witch & Wilbur the cat

From Mihaela Papuc

Did your child(ren) dress up for World Book Day? Share your photo here!

Echo: He always dreams that he will join the army and serve the contry !!!He always dreams that he will join the army and serve the contry !!!

From Louise lindfield

Did your child(ren) dress up for World Book Day? Share your photo here!

Echo: Faith aged 10 as ‘Oompa Lumpa’ Caitlin aged 5- butterfly from the hungry caterpillar Sienna aged 9- Miss TrunchballAll 3 go to Janet Duke primary school.Faith aged 10 as ‘Oompa Lumpa’ Caitlin aged 5- butterfly from the hungry caterpillar Sienna aged 9- Miss TrunchballAll 3 go to Janet Duke primary school.

From Colette Hall

Did your child(ren) dress up for World Book Day? Share your photo here!

Echo: This is Carter Hall,  year 3 student at BardfieldsThis is Carter Hall, year 3 student at Bardfields
Echo: Carter Hall year 3 at bardfieldsCarter Hall year 3 at bardfields

From Genine Lyons

Did your child(ren) dress up for World Book Day? Share your photo here!

Echo: Phoebe dressed as violet from Willy wonka  and Paige joined in as a queen . For world book dayPhoebe dressed as violet from Willy wonka and Paige joined in as a queen . For world book day

From Claire Osborne

Did your child(ren) dress up for World Book Day? Share your photo here!

Echo: Woody ?Woody ?

From Michelle jacques

Did your child(ren) dress up for World Book Day? Share your photo here!

Echo: Arlo has sensory issues so we made our own superworm themed topArlo has sensory issues so we made our own superworm themed top

From Nikki Rasburn

Did your child(ren) dress up for World Book Day? Share your photo here!

Echo: Remi-Rose Rasburn 2years old at The Day Nursery for world bookDay ??Remi-Rose Rasburn 2years old at The Day Nursery for world bookDay ??

From Stacey Miller

Did your child(ren) dress up for World Book Day? Share your photo here!

Echo: Nellie Jay (age 4) Isabella from EncantoNellie Jay (age 4) Isabella from Encanto
Echo: Reeva Jay (age 2) and Nellie Jay (age 4) Peppa Pig and Isabella from EncantoReeva Jay (age 2) and Nellie Jay (age 4) Peppa Pig and Isabella from Encanto

From Sydney parker

Did your child(ren) dress up for World Book Day? Share your photo here!

Echo: This is talia-leigh dressed up as mirabel for world book day 2024This is talia-leigh dressed up as mirabel for world book day 2024

From Community contributor

Did your child(ren) dress up for World Book Day? Share your photo here!

Echo: Connie, Harley & ArchieConnie, Harley & Archie

From Kelly Anderson

Did your child(ren) dress up for World Book Day? Share your photo here!

Echo: SpongebobSpongebob