World Book Day isn’t just about dressing up – for some lucky children, it was about meeting their heroes as well.

Cyclist-turned-writer Sir Chris Hoy used the day to launch his new series, Flying Fergus, about an ordinary boy and his extraordinary bicylce.

He was joined at the Old Town Hall, Stratford, by co-author Joanna Nadin and Clare Elsom for a question and answer session before signing copies of the book for young fans.

Yesterday’s festivities also saw poet Michael Rosen pay a visit to the borough, celebrating the art of rhyme.

The visits were part of Discover Children’s Story Centre’s Big Write Festival, a week-long celebration of reading.