TEACHERS were seeing spots, families were busy baking cakes and college students suffered the pain of waxing their legs – all in the name of raising money.

Children In Need was back with a bang once again, spurring on youngsters to take on challenges, bake up a storm or wear their favourite outfits to raise funds for projects to help vulnerable or disadvantaged children across the UK.

South Essex rose to the challenge with schools across Basildon, Canvey and Southend holding special events, dress down days and fun activities to boost the charity’s funds.

The Cherry Tree Primary School, in Church Road, Vange, went dotty for the day, with pupils donning their spottiest outfits in return for donations.

At West Leigh Junior School, in Ronald Hill Grove, in Leigh, also donated money in return for wearing spotty clothes instead of their uniforms.

The youngsters were also allowed to spice up their outfits with face paint so spent the day looking spotty all over.

At the Eversley Primary School in Crest Avenue, Pitsea, youngsters also wore spots instead of their regular uniform and some did their best Pudsey Bear impressions, wearing teddy bear headbands or T-shirts.

At Friars Primary School in Constable Way, Shoebury, children wore Pudsey Bear onesies and held a cake competition, while children at Porters Grange Primary School and Nursery, in Lancaster Gardens, in Southend wore their pyjamas and youngsters at Northwick Park School on Canvey wore their onesies.

Seevic College students also wore their onesies and some daring fundraisers even waxed their legs and shaved their heads to raise money for the good cause.