Fairies, lost boys and other colourful characters filled the classrooms of Gresham Village Primary School today as pupils took part in a charitable day of fancy dress.

Youngsters paid a pound to come to school dressed as their favourite character from Peter Pan or any of their other literary heroes and heroines to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH).

The school has a link to GOSH through Gresham toddler Angelina Mills who suffers from a rare neurological condition and has been a patient at the London hospital.

Her two brothers Luca, 11, and Stefan, nine, attend the Cromer Road school and were among the pupils who swapped their uniform for character costumes during today's fundraising fancy dress day.

Children enjoyed a number of activities, including hunting for Captain Hook's lost treasure in the woods, and raised nearly �100.

Their total was given a boost by staff and students from Kelling Primary School who - on hearing that Gresham pupils were fundraising for GOSH - added �22 to the kitty when they visited for a netball match.

All the money will go towards GOSH's Peter Pan appeal, which this year is hoping to raise more than �60,000 to fund parent and family accommodation.

The hospital has a link to the classic children's tale as its author, JM Barrie gave GOSH the rights to the book in 1929. Since then the hospital has received royalties every time a production of the play is put on and from the sale of books and other related products.

Lisa Massingham, mum to Angelina, Luca and Stefan, said she was 'delighted' the school had chosen to support GOSH.

'It's a really good cause and hopefully shows the history behind what Peter Pan has to do with the hospital because not everybody realises,' she added.

Headteacher Marc Goodliffe, who dressed as Captain Hook for the day, added: 'I think we'll continue to do it annually. It's a good thing to do especially as we have got the special link and also it brings all the parents together.'