Thrifty South Yorkshire mum's impressive money-saving World Book Day costume

So, when faced with yet another expense – this time a costume for World Book Day – a thrifty mother-of-two from South Yorkshire decided to get creative and save money in the process.

Keeley Haynes from Dinnington took just 10 minutes to transform one her son’s t-shirts into an impressive outfit for his event at Dinnington Primary school.

Keeley, who also has an 11-year-old son called Jayden, said: “It doesn’t have to cost anything, it didn’t cost me a penny. I just used a t-shirt out of his drawer and coloured it up.

“It’s Simon Sock – a book about an odd sock. It’s my three-year-old son’s favourite book.”

She added: “He loved it, he was impressed. Although I think my husband was most impressed but I don’t think he’s got a white t-shirt big enough to make him one.

“It’d be like a sock.”

In order to keep costs down, one Sheffield school sent a notice out asking students to arrive in their night clothes rather than as a book character this World Book Day.

“Normally with my oldest son every year I was buying outfits which cost on average £16,” Keeley said.

“He would wear it once and it would end up going into a cupboard or a charity shop. Most parents can’t afford to buy the outfits. It’s saved me spending money I didn’t need to.”

Keeley, who works as a nurse, said her family manage to keep up with school costs, but admitted it isn’t always easy.

She said: “The school where my children go to isn’t too bad, but the school my other son used to go to was badgering for money all the time.

“It used to be a couple of things a week and you would think ‘Oh my God’. The school where they go to now is more of a voluntary contribution.

You can see pictures of Sheffield children dressed up for World Book Day in our gallery.