CHILDREN turned up at primary schools, colleges and nurseries across South East Cornwall on Friday dressed as superheroes in aid of the annual BBC Children In Need Appeal.

They had taken up the challenge to 'Be A Fundraising Hero,' and had great fun helping to raise millions in aid of disadvantaged children and young people.

All around the Caradon area in shops, offices, cafes, leisure centres and out on the streets, there were people in fancy dress shaking yellow 'Pudsey' buckets, selling cakes, pedalling sponsored miles on static bikes and getting involved in many more imaginative fundraising events.

Liskeard School raised more than £700. Students and staff were encouraged to wear superhero costumes and pay £1 each to do so.

Costumes ranged from Superman and Batman through to an inflatable ostrich. During the morning break, staff took part in a rendition of the YMCA pop song, a tradition at the school during fundraising events. Students joined in and showed off their costumes.

At Hillfort Primary School, Liskeard, a talent contest was staged.

This year's Children In Need raised a record £32.6m, which is £1m up on last year, while the total for the South West was £841,356.

Sir Terry Wogan, BBC Children in Need Life President, said: 'Thank you for all you have done for BBC Children in Need, the money raised is going to enable us to make a real difference to disadvantaged children and young people right here in the UK.'