THERE were super heroes, fairy princesses and a host of other colourful characters...

Lowestoft seafront was aglow last weekend as children and their parents pulled on their walking boots for an evening stroll along the promenade in aid of East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH).

More than 200 children and adults took part in the charity's first-ever Glow Walk, which started and finished at the Claremont Pier. And organisers hailed it a 'glowing success' as more than �3,000 was raised.

Some of the youngsters – and a few of their parents – donned fancy dress for the two-mile stroll, which followed a route along the seafront to Kensington Gardens, while others wore light-up 'head boppers', carried helium balloons or had their faces decorated with luminous paint – making it a colourful spectacle.

Mrs Tiggywinkle, Mr Badger and Sleeping Beauty were among the children's characters who could be seen taking part in the walk. There was also a popular hot chocolate stop, guest appearances from Woody Bear, the Beach Bunny and entertainment from The Lowestoft Players.

Vanessa Bell, EACH fund-raiser for Suffolk, said: 'We had a fantastic response and the atmosphere was brilliant with lots of children dressing up. The characters along the way really made the walk come alive and everyone was able to warm up with a hot chocolate in Nemo's afterwards.

'I'd like to thank David Scott and his staff from the Claremont Pier who gave us incredible support on the night. Also the Lowestoft Players for their entertainment and for donating a family ticket to their pantomime, Sleeping Beauty, for the highest fund-raiser.

'The event wouldn't have been possible without the support of volunteers kindly giving up their time and, of course, everyone who took part.'

EACH provides care for children and young people with life-threatening conditions across Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire and offers support for their families.

?For more information about EACH, including forthcoming events and how you can help raise funds, visit www.each.org.uk or call its Ipswich fund-raising office on 01473 237243.