SCHOOLS around Abergavenny donned fancy dress costumes on Friday raising money for Children in Need.

At Cross Ash Primary School, pupils wore masks of their favourite film characters and made a donation to the worthy cause, raising £166 for their efforts.

STAFF and pupils at King Henry VIII school joined in the spirit of the appeal to raise a princely sum.

This was achieved by pupils paying for the privilege of not wearing uniform for the day, while staff donned an array of both stunning and outrageous outfits.

Many wore fancy dress from pink ladies, cops and robbers and Cruella De Vil.

The staff and pupils also organised a range fund raising activities which went on through out the day. Students at the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy practiced the art of acting whilst dressed up in fancy dress. STAFF at housing association Melin Homes have already raised more than £350 for this year's Children in Need appeal.

For the past two weeks, the Melin team has embraced the theme of this year's appeal to 'do something different' and have organised a range of fundraising activities.

Staff shunned their normal clothes on Hallowe'en and paid a small donation to dress in fancy dress and also organised a quiz night and raffle on November 7 to raise £350 for Children in Need so far.

The fundraising activities are set to continue tomorrow with an auction of a variety of items and one member of staff making a Pudsey cake to support the cause. Melin employees will be able to make a donation for a slice of her culinary delight.

It is hoped that Melin will be able to generate its largest amount of staff donations ever to support this year's Children in Need appeal.