THERE was an invasion of 144 pirates at Badshot Lea Village Infant School on Thursday, March 8, as students celebrated World Book Day.

The children enjoyed a variety of piratical activities throughout the day, from cooking to pirate PE.

The school day was finished off with a pirate parade in the playground, where pupils sung pirate songs to their parents.

The previous week the school also had a special visit from local author Alison Donald who wrote the book ’Pirates in Classroom 3’.

Alison did workshops with the children about writing and creating characters.

Gemma Ball, the school’s headteacher, said: “We had a pirate theme because it ties in with our whole school topic for this half term - ‘Lost at Sea’.

“Every single child came dressed up and was very excited, it was great.

“It was a really fantastic day.

“The children absolutely loved it, they said ‘can we come to school everyday dressed as pirates?’

“Every single member of staff dressed up too, it was a day celebrating all things reading and pirates.”