YOUNGSTERS across the district have been joining in the fun and reaching into their pockets for Children in Need.

St Andrews Primary School, in School Green Lane, North Weald, led the way with staff expecting to have raised £400-500 for the charity through a whole series of activities.

Fairies, pirates, and even the Wicked Witch were all present at the school when they held a fairy tale dressing up day, and the children also enjoyed a special Pudsey lunch and a raffle.

School secretary Debbie Stainsbury said: “We had special Pudsey badges to sell but they were so popular we ran out and the staff had to make their own. The children had a really brilliant day and it's been really nice for them dressing up.”

Over at Whitebridge Junior School, in Greensted Road, Loughton, ten-year-old pupil Charley Vickerstaff organised her own fund-raising activities, selling cakes to her sweet-toothed classmates, and raising around £100.

Her teacher Janine Mudd said: “She organised the cake stall entirely off her own bat. She had eight other children helping her to make them, and she went round all the classes and sold cakes to them all. She also went to the local shop and left them with a box asking people to donate money.

“I just think it's brilliant. It shows she's an enterprising individual.”

Queen's Pre-school Day Nursery, in Queens Road, Buckhurst Hill held special Children in Need activities all week, with staff dressing up in spotty clothes and a series of activities put on for the children raising £100.

Manager Anna White said: “They made Pudsey pictures and gifts for their parents. It was a fun week. They loved making their own pots and icing the biscuits as well.”

In Ongar, the opportunity to stay in their pyjamas all day was too good to resist for pupils at Shelley Primary School, who riased £67 paying for that privilege.

They were also given the opportunity to make and sell biscuits.

Headteacher Lesley Lewis said: "We all enjoyed coming to school in our pyjamas, it is very relaxing."