Pupils are eagerly awaiting the outcome of an extraordinary world record attempt, held in honour of World Book Day 2018.

Students at Northfleet School for Girls, Gravesend, dressed up as characters from Alice in Wonderland yesterday, as part of the exciting literary challenge.

If successful, it will hold the Guinness World Record for the most people dressed up as characters from the famous Lewis Carroll novel.

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Neighbouring school Painters Ash primary school, which falls within the Northfleet Schools Co-operative Learning Trust, also joined in to support the attempt.

Year 7 student Maisey Malden said: "I loved meeting the primary children who came and helped us with the world record.

"It is also really important to show awareness of reading and appreciate books more."

World Book Day has been an important fixture at the school in previous years, with events celebrating literary works from Harry Potter to stories by Charles Dickens.

Chris Norwood, headteacher at Northfleet School for Girls, said: "It has been great to see our students develop a love for the written word.

"This event is a fun way to celebrate the importance of literacy and the difference it will make to our students’ future opportunities."

Literacy leader and World Book Day organiser, Amie Bleek, said: "Literacy is a fundamental skill for the students’ future and at Northfleet School for Girls we try to think of fun and innovative ways to encourage and reinforce the importance of having good literacy skills.

"World Book Day and reading for pleasure is always celebrated on a large scale and this year was no exception.

"Watching the staff and students join together in a bid to beat the World Record was inspiring and something that we should all be very proud of."