ACTOR, comic and writer Adrian Edmondson was at Brighton’s Theatre Royal yesterday as part of World Book Day.

Children got to meet the star – and some of their other favourite authors – during the world’s biggest celebration of reading.

The theatre hosted the Biggest Book Show On Earth to mark World Book Day.

Some of the UK’s best authors and illustrators gave a series of talks, readings and live illustrations in the auditorium, followed by book signings.

Brighton and Hove schoolchildren attended the event, including 11-year-old Lucia Wight, a Mile Oak Primary School pupil, who got a book signed by Young Ones star Edmondson.

Eight-year-old Jack Nabbs got the chance to meet renowned author Steven Butler and have his book signed.

Illustrators and authors hosting the event also included Pamela Butchart, Kes Gray, Jim Field, Liz Pichon and Holly Smale.

The roadshow is visiting six cities and towns across the UK, stopping at Doncaster, Brighton, Newcastle, Aberystwyth, Oswestry and Dublin as part of the annual World Book Day celebrations.

Over the whole tour, 35 authors and illustrators are taking part in fun-filled events.

All dates are mainly hosted by Mr Butler, author of The Nothing to See Here Hotel.

Another unique event, The Book Show, is currently being held at The Crypt Gallery in Seaford to mark the global celebration of literature.

The event, organised by Seaford Contemporary Illustrators and Printmakers, is welcoming guests up until tomorrow to enjoy one of the largest professional exhibitions ever hosted in the town.

It brings together new and exclusive artworks by over 20 of the country’s best known illustrators, including Benji Davies, Graham Carter, Lesley Barnes, Helen Musselwhite, Tom Frost, Andy Smith, Karl James Mountford, Alex T Smith and many more.

Children visiting the exhibition are also being treated to a host of specially prepared activities, including free workshops, a fancy dress competition, live story readings sponsored by The Arabian Tent Company and a drawing competition.

World Book Day marks the world’s biggest celebration of reading, where the nation’s entire book industry comes together in an effort to address falling literacy levels.

The day of celebration aims to create readers of the future and spark a passion in children and young people to discover, read and love books.

Children across Sussex have been celebrating the 21st year of World Book Day.

To mark the occasion, organisers of the global event are sending schools and nurseries that are registered to take part a variety of items, such as packs of book tokens and reading resources.

The resources are full of ideas, activities and information about how people can get involved in the celebrations.