York's youngsters will celebrate World Book Day in style this year, with stories told by a host of local celebrities.

Thursday 1 March marks the tenth anniversary of the annual event, which aims to encourage children to explore the pleasures of books and reading by providing them with the opportunity to have a book of their own. The day is a worldwide celebration of books and reading, and is marked in over 100 countries around the globe.

City of York Council's Early Years and Extended Schools' team is marking the event with a 'big story tell', and over 30 childcare providers across the city are taking part.

Nationally acclaimed children's comedian James Campbell will lead the story telling with stories at Huntington Pre-School and Strensall Playgroup to name but a few. Councillor Janet Hopton, the Lord Mayor of York and Big Ian from York band Huge will also be among those reading stories to children across the city.

This year, the nurseries and pre-schools taking part in the story tell are donating £5 to Bookaid. The charity provides over half a million books to readers in 17 African countries and Palestine.