A top children's author has shared his own struggles with learning to read in an exclusive letter to children in Kent to mark World Book Day.

Nick Butterworth, creator of the popular Percy the Park Keeper series of stories, describes knowing as a child that he wasn't a great reader and what he did to try and change that because he "wanted to be able to read stories for myself".

World Book Day is taking place today and thousands of children across the county are expected to go to school dressed as their favourite literary character.

As part of celebrations this week, each child will also receive a £1 book token through their school or nursery, which can either be exchanged for an exclusive WBD free book or against the cost of a full-priced book or audio story.

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