The Mad Hatter met Matilda when pupils at a Brent school dressed up as their favourite book characters.

The 11 and 12-year-olds at Kingsbury High School, in Princes Avenue, dressed as a book character as part of a reading for enjoyment day.

They went to school on January 14 dressed as everyone from the Mad Hatter to Matilda and took part in storytelling activities.

Greta Nuzi, 12, from Kingsbury, and Aliyah Yousaf, 11, from Edgware, went as Thing 1 & Thing 2 from Dr Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat.

Aliyah said: “My favourite part of the day was when we did a role play and Greta and myself got to run and jump around and scribble on a board to show that our characters make a mess.”

Greta added: “The whole class was laughing and giggling.”

Jasliene Sangha, second in charge of English and Media at the school, said “Both staff and students enjoyed wearing their imaginative and creative outfits to celebrate their favourite books and characters.

“We hope the day inspired and encouraged students' to read a wide range of literature in dramatic and exciting way.”