Spiderman, Frankenstein, Scooby Doo and a scuba diver were just some of the competitors running in Blankenhagen School’s Comic Relief Funny Run.

Pupils, dressed in appropriately wacky attire, ran 10 laps of the makeshift course in various imaginative ways – dribbling footballs, reading books, legs tied together – whatever took their fancy.

“Our PE co-ordinater organised it,” said Head teacher Ben Turner, “The children have decided how they are going to run the race and are being sponsored for each lap.

“The costumes have been absolutely amazing, we have people dressed as fairies, people running backwards, people dressed as divers with flippers, girls dressed as boys and vice versa.”

Many staff members also joined in the fun, including teaching assistant Eve Elliott who donned a banana suit for the occasion and Mr Turner himself who ran in full rugby kit.

Mr Turner made sure however, that there was a serious side to the day: “The children have been looking at how the money will be used when they have raised it.

“We have been very careful to make sure the kids have a good understanding of why we are having fun this afternoon.”

Encouragingly many parents also attended the event, some running alongside the children or giving them a helping hand round the course.

“I’m so glad to see so many parents come and show their support,” said event organiser Sue Butt.

“There’s been plenty of smiling faces on show which is what its all about.”

Sahara, who raised an impressive €170, said the run “was good but very, very hard work.

“I did two of the laps skipping but did the rest just running” she added.