WORLD Book Day has come under fire from panicked parents who are yet to arrange outfits for their kids.

The annual celebration of the written word sees youngsters expected to dress as their favourite character from fiction.

But the pressure has been getting to some mums and dads who have taken to social media to vent their frustrations.

Many have complained about the cost of costumes ahead of the events across the country tomorrow.

Mum Mags Underwood voiced frustrations she shares with many about, by writing: “I hate World Book Day,” accompanied by a photo showing a costume under way.

Jennifer Godwin said: “Does anyone else think world book day is stupid??! For the money you end up having to spend you could buy loads of lovely shiny new books instead!!”

Others have told how the outlay has left them out of pocket.

Kimmy Cee wrote: “Ok I’m going to rant ...£16 for a costume for world book day, after rent and council tax comes out tomorrow I don’t have any money and I only got paid yesterday! I just cannot afford it.

“I’m not a fan of World Book Day any more. What happened to just getting a voucher towards buying a book to read!”

Other parents complained that they left preparations to the last minute and were unable to find any costumes in the shops.

Lyndsey Hough wrote: “Every year Spencer and I have these grand ideas about his costume for World Book Day

“And every year I end up in a blind panic traipsing round every supermarket in South Yorkshire looking for a costume the day before he's due to wear it.

“When will I learn..?! I'd rather just spend the £20 on books for him anyway!”

She then pleaded: “Bad mum alert - Haven't got his World Book Day costume yet and nowhere has got any Harry Potter costumes left. If anybody has any to sell please let me know asap.”

Others joked that they hoped the current horrific weather would come to their aid.

Alisa Mcintosh wrote: “Personally, I am hoping for a snow day to avoid World Book Day costumes. Does that make me a bad mum??”

Sandra Kyle Hodge complained that splashing out on costumes for kids is expensive and wasteful. She wrote: “What's this World Book Day carry on? Personally I think it's just another gimmick for rich companies to sell costumes to every primary school child's parents/guardian. Is Halloween and Easter bonnet day not enough stress for parents?

“What about the parents that have 2 or 3 weans at school and don't have extra money to go buy a costume that will be flung in the toy box the next day.”

It comes as better-prepared parents have shared their fears that the snow battering Britain could see their costumes go to waste - if schools are closed tomorrow.

The concerns have seen some schools urging kids not to dress up for the day.

A spokesperson for World Book Day said: "We know a great deal of children and young people will have put effort into activities for tomorrow.

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"We’re encouraging schools to Share a Story and celebrate World Book Day as and when they can, in whatever way they can, so that children can celebrate reading, share stories with their teachers and peers, and so time and effort spent on costumes does not go to waste.

"In the meantime, if you find yourself snowed in tomorrow, go ahead and celebrate World Book Day anyway, dress up if you’d like to, but most importantly, find time in the day to share a story, to read, to enjoy books.

"You can participate on social media with #shareastory."

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