Superheroes took over schools and businesses in and around Beccles today to raise money for Children in Need.

Pupils at The Old School Henstead kicked off the fundraising in Beccles this morning as they braved the rain to sing for shoppers.

Gathered under two gazebos, the school choir sang in the centre of town for the seventh year running, alongside a Pudsey Bear cake stall.

Joe McKinney, school headteacher said: “We sing in the town centre every year in aid of Children in Need and the parents run a cake stall.

“They sang a variety of songs from Remember as part of Remembrance Day to a medley of songs from Oliver.

“All the children get a real buzz out of doing it and it is very much part of our school ethos to get the children thinking about those who are less fortunate.

“We are delighted with the amount of people who stopped to watch, said well done and donated.”

All the pupils performing were treated to a free hot chocolate courtesy of The King’s Head Hotel.

The pupils will also be taking part in a non-uniform day next week and the nursery children all dressed in spots for the day.

The group was just one of many raising money for Children in Need across Waveney today.

Pupils at Crowfoot Primary School and Albert Pye in Beccles made donations to dress in non-uniform for the day, while children at Worlingham Primary School and Ravensmere Infant School dressed as superheroes.

Staff at All Hallows Hospital in Ditchingham dressed as Pudsey Bears , while staff at Roys in Beccles transformed into television and movie stars, including Marge Simpson, Mary Poppins and Cruella de Vil.

The staff dress up every year in a different theme across two days and collect donations through buckets at the tills.

Sherry Breeze, assistant manager said: “We all enjoy doing it. It is for a good cause.”

And it was all about the turtle power at Greggs in Beccles, with Leonardo and Raphael behind the counter.

Keeping with the superhero theme, other staff members dressed as Zorro, Iron Man and Catwoman to pull in the pounds.

Jemma Utting, senior sales, said: “We dress up every year, everyone takes part and all our customers are extremely generous.”