FUN and games were played out under a sky of gathering darkness at Great Yarmouth High School on Saturday.

But organisers and crowds were fortunate that the showers held off, enabling them to exceed their �1,000 fundraising target.

Attractions included Sumo wrestling, bouncy castle, live music, barbecue, karaoke, tug of war and lots of games devised by staff and children, back at school on the first day of the summer break to help make the event a success.

The fete was dedicated to two pupils, Ria Helsdon and Leah Wilby, whose remarkable cancer battles – lost within little more than a year of each other – inspired everyone who knew them and hundreds more who didn’t.

All proceeds will go to Bryan Gunn’s Leukaemia Fund helping local children.

Teacher Clare Steward said there was a lovely community atmosphere at the fairy and pirate-themed event.

For the first time in years there was a willingness to set up a “friends” organisation, as a result of the fete, which was a wonderful offshoot, she added.

“The mayor was absolutely brilliant,” Mrs Steward said. “He had a go at everything, even spitting the cherry which was a good old pirate game.”

In total �1,100 was raised at Saturday’s event which it is hoped will become an annual fixture in the community calendar. Organisers are considering switching the date to Easter next year to avoid clashes with a number of similar events.