SCHOOLS, offices and organisations of all shapes and sizes took part in the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning and helped to raise vital funds for Macmillan Cancer Research.

The event yesterday saw pupils and staff at St Barnabas CE School in Leeman Road, York, tucking in to more than 80 cakes and pastries, helping to raise more than £300 for the charity, while at The Press offices in Walmgate, staff raised about £140.

The St Barnabas event was a bake-off with three categories, for the younger children, older pupils and parents. The school invited seven judges including chefs from The Star Inn The City, Bettys and the Cedar Court Grand as well as a representative from Macmillan, St Barnabas Church, Pizza Express and Phunky Foods which provides healthy lifestyle curriculum activities, lesson plans and resources for primary schools.

The children all got to talk to the judges about good cakes as well as listening to some poignant words from Macmillan's Sally Millington.

She said: "No one should face cancer alone and the school's support makes all the difference."

At Marks and Spencer, Pavement in York, staff raised more than £2,000 with a raft of events from face painting to staff dressing up in Mad Hatter costumes from the Theatre Royal.

At Tadcaster Grammar School, students, staff and parents showed their support for the annual event by baking cakes, buns and various goodies galore and raised £365.

Jeanette Hodgson, assistant head of the learning support faculty and organiser of the event in school, said: “This is the third year that Tadcaster Grammar has participated and once again a fantastic amount of money has been raised.

“To think that in the space of 20 minutes we made more than £300 is amazing and we have exceeded last year’s total too.

“I would like to thank all those involved for giving up their time and sharing their baking talents, with a special thank you to the students in our Sixth Form who helped me set up the event on the day.”