HIGH School Musical and comic book heroes led the charge during World Book Day at Marsh Green Primary School. Almost every pupil – more than 200 – donned outfits worn by their favourite characters last week, as they joined the global drive to boost readin

HIGH School Musical and comic book heroes led the charge during World Book Day at Marsh Green Primary School.

Almost every pupil - more than 200 - donned outfits worn by their favourite characters last week, as they joined the global drive to boost reading.

But the nation's favourite wizard, Harry Potter, was old hat this year as the influence of US popular culture prevailed, with many children taking their cue from graphic novels and tie-in books of the High School Musical movies.

Around 25 staff at the school in South Close, Dagenham, also dressed up, and they helped organise reading activities, while in the region of �170 was raised to buy new books for the library.

School secretary Delia Clare, 61 - dressed as Egyptian ruler Cleopatra - said: "It was a very good day. We had a very good response from the children dressing up this year.

"We had special assemblies this morning, and story time. I think the children thoroughly enjoyed it.