Youngsters travelling aboard DFDS ferries got to meet children's authors at interactive reading workshops.

It was part of the travel provider's support of World Book Day on March 7 and its campaign inspiring children and parents to #ShareAStory.

Children and families from the UK, France, Netherlands and Germany took part in the activities delivered by three authors.

Demonstrating their unique ways of storytelling they taught a mixture of cartooning and creative writing.

Among them was John Byrne, a cartoonist and the author of Learn to Draw Cartoons and Puffin's Brilliantly Big Bumper Joke Book: An A-Z of Everything Funny. His interactive learn to cartoon workshop included parents.

Steve Cole, author of Astrosaurs, Young Bond taught children to invent story ideas in his creative writing workshop.

And poet and songwriter John Dougherty, who wrote the Stinkbomb & Ketchup Face series, ran a lively dramatised reading of his award-winning book There’s a Pig Up My Nose. He brought along his guitar for a singing session too.

Steve Garner, Customer Experience Manager for DFDS said: “We welcomed over 129,000 families onboard our ships in 2018, so naturally, we were delighted to be able to offer these engaging and interactive workshops during the busy February half-term.

“World Book Day is such a fantastic charity to support. They strive to encourage families to take time each day to share stories and promote the importance of reading for pleasure.

"As a ferry operator, we recognise that families are given quality time they may not otherwise have when travelling by other modes of transport, so to be able to partner with the charity and authors to maximise that opportunity this half term is something we are really proud of.”

Kirsten Grant, Director of World Book Day said: “We're delighted that DFDS are supporting World Book Day's Share A Story campaign this year with their fun on-board events.

"We know that spending just 10 minutes a day reading with children of all ages can make a crucial difference to their future, and it's wonderful that families have had the opportunity to spend quality time together sharing stories.

"We hope that this will kick-start the habit of enjoying reading together long after World Book Day is over for another year.”

The 20-minute workshops were held in the Lighthouse Café, during which children were given colouring activities, including an illustrated collection of bookmarks, designed by Rob Biddulph, the official World Book Day illustrator for 2019, which they could colour and design.

DFDS will be continuing their support of World Book Day with further activities scheduled onboard King Seaways, docked in Newcastle on March 7.

What will your child be going to school dressed as on World Book Day? Tell us and email your pictures to Mercurynews@thekmgroup.co.uk.