LITERARY characters will be jumping out from between the dusty pages and coming to life this weekend.

To celebrate World Book Day residents will be taking to the stage to act out scenes from their favourite books, and dramatise passages from poems.

Characters from Macbeth and Hamlet to Harry Potter and the Gruffalo will come to life on the stage as residents join members of the Kingsley Players in an evening celebrating literature.

And for those who would rather kick-up their feet and enjoy a good book, free copies of The World's Wife will be given out to every family.

Residents are being asked to dust off an old book and bring it along to the celebrations to be given a new home as part of the giant book exchange.

Lynn Pegler, organiser of the open mic night, said: “We hope lots of people will join our local celebration of a remarkable national event to promote books and literature.

“Forget dry school poetry lessons – we promise our open mic night will be fun, light-hearted and entertaining.”

The Great World Book Night Giveaway will be held at 7.30pm on Saturday, March 5, at Kingsley Community Centre. Entry is free and there will be a licensed bar.