A number of babies and toddlers enjoyed stories, rhymes and colouring on Monday in the run-up to the official event, which is being held at libraries across West Norfolk and the rest of the county today.

Miss Alison Thorne, librarian at Hunstanton, Swaffham and Dersingham libraries, said it was a really good event with lots of new faces turning out.

Three and four-year-olds who attended also received the Bookstart Treasure Chest, which is packed with picture books, stickers, pencils and more to encourage early reading and writing.

Bookstart is a national initiative to help every child in the UK develop a lifelong love of books from a very young age, and this year's theme is Pirates Ahoy!

The programme aims to give three free packs of books to every child up to the age of four, with packs targeted at different stages of their development.

Similar pirate-themed Bookstart events are being held today at Lynn Library from 2pm, Gaywood Library at 10am and Downham Library at 10.30am.