CHILDREN were encouraged to share their passion for books with their pets.

Pupils at Darnhall Primary School in Winsford held their seventh annual Read to an Animal competition to celebrate World Animal Day.

This event promotes animal welfare and reading.

Northwich Guardian:

Hollie Greenhalgh, eight, reading to one of her pet tarantulas

Vet Tamsin Long from Brown Moss Equine Vets was invited to judge this year's entries.

William Hoare, three, who read to his toy dinosaurs was chosen as the winner.

Northwich Guardian:

William Hoare, three, who read to his toy dinosaurs, was chosen as the winner

Runners up were Kurtis Enwistle, five, who relaxed reading to his spaniel.

Exotic animal lover Hollie Greenhalgh, eight, who shares her bedroom with 50 tarantulas, two snakes, scorpions, millipedes, grasshoppers, cockroaches and snake, won a prize for reading to one of her pet tarantulas.

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Roni Fisher, 10, who has entered every year since she was three, was awarded for reading to her two St Bernard’s.

Northwich Guardian:

Roni Fisher, 10, reading to her two St Bernard's

The children were award 1980s icon replicas of The Pound Puppies sold aid of The Fogs Trust.

Northwich Guardian:

Vet Tamsin reading to her pet spaniel