Spalding's Bookmark Sarah Halgarth highlights the importance of reading on World Book Day

Amazing adventures, fantastic facts and splendid superheroes will all come under the microscope on World Book Day.

Today (March 2) will see youngsters around the area given the chance to get their hands on a book of their own.

The importance of reading is not lost on Sarah Halgarth, manager of Spalding’s Bookmark.

“It’s the foundation of everything. Stories build imagination and vocabulary,” she said.

“And now it’s also a great escapism from current world events.”

Bookmark are among the participating retailers accepting World Book Day tokens up until March 26.

These are handed out to all primary and secondary pupils by their schools and can be exchanged for one of this year’s official World Book Day stories, which cater for a wide range of ages.

Bedtime for the Burpee Bears (Joe Wicks), The Boy With Wings (Lenny Henry), Kay’s Brilliant Brains (Adam Kay), Billy’s Bravery (Tom Percival) plus a Spiderman story penned by Catherine Saunders are among this year’s World Book Day collection.

If the official books aren’t your thing, tokens can also be used to get £1 off other titles .

“Comics and graphic novels are becoming popular,” Sarah added.

“Anything that gets people reading is important.”