SMURFS and other characters were spotted marching across the South Downs when a school took part in a sponsored walk.

Pupils from Lewes Old Grammar School dressed up to take part in the event to raise money for a cluster of charities.

Students and staff trekked across the South Downs to Stanmer Park and back to Lewes raising thousands of pounds. The proceeds will support Fish Aid, a charity raising money for research into childhood and adolescent bone cancers founded by former school parents, the Leonard Cheshire’s Orphanage for Disabled Children in Durban, South Africa, Blind Veterans UK which has a base in Ovingdean, East Sussex Wildlife Rescue Service and Education For All.

Organiser Debbie Ticehurst said: “Many students took to mark the occasion by wearing fancy dress which was great.

“There was a last minute doubt about the event when the Met Office issued a weather warning, but thankfully the weather was fine and the walk could go ahead as planned with several parents joining in as well.”