YOUNGSTERS across the Vale and the Cotswolds have been getting marvellously messy to raise funds for Children in Need.

At Cherry Orchard First School, Pershore, pupils took part in a baking session with ingredients donated by the Asda supermarket, while children from other schools got involved in a range of different activities.

Cherry Orchard headteacher Sarah Bitcon said: “We wanted to raise money for children in Haiti because they didn’t have any water. We decided to do this by having a mass cake bake with the cakes to be sold in a cookie shop in the school hall.”

Meanwhile, youngsters at the Playhouse Pre-school in Oat Street, Evesham, had a go at a sponsored obstacle course, a raffle, and a bake sale.

Chloe Raill, playgroup supervisor, said: “The afternoon went really well and I think we are going to beat last year’s total of £300”.

Children at Harvington Pre-school and the Jilly Tots Mother and Toddler Group made Pudsey bear hats and decorated biscuits, while at Longborough Primary School pupils also dressed up in spotty hats and baked cookies.

At Winchcombe Farm Day Nursery, youngsters paid £1 to wear spotty clothes while also decorating the nursery in spots. Nursery business manager Catherine Foxall said: “The children really enjoyed taking part.”

At Swell Primary School youngsters helped raise £222 by selling cakes at the weekly village coffee morning. Pupils from St James’ School in Chipping Campden took part in a Mad Hair Day for Children in Need last Friday, while a generous audience at Evesham Arts Centre’s comedy night donated £84. Staff at Lloyds TSB, Evesham, raised £400 by ditching their usual uniforms for fancy dress and Swan Lane First School raised £413 for Children in Need and the Kampala Children’s Centre in Uganda.

Evesham taxi firm Brycab donated all of its takings from Friday to the Children in Need Fund. A total of £250.30 was donated, beating last year's £238.Willersey C of E Primary School raised £100 by wearing something spotty and placing a collection of one pence and two pence pieces around an outline of Pudsey Bear in the school playground.

The school also organised a Pudsey Colouring Competition to raise further money for Children in Need.