Teachers and pupils at schools got into the festive spirit with a string of Christmas challenges.

Children and members of staff at primary schools in Lowestoft and Beccles donned Santa hats and outfits as part of a national event.

Lowestoft Journal: Pupils at Woods Loke Primary School in Lowestoft playing Dash dodgeball. Picture: Woods Loke PrimaryPupils at Woods Loke Primary School in Lowestoft playing Dash dodgeball. Picture: Woods Loke Primary (Image: Woods Loke Primary)

With Santa Dashes taking place across the country, primary schools at Bramfield, Brampton, The Limes Academy, Woods Loke and Northfield St Nicholas Primary Academy also joined in the fun.

Jeffrey Hoey, partnership development manager at the North Suffolk Sport and Health Partnership, said: "It was set up as a way to celebrate the Christmas period and promote physical activity in schools.

"Schools from across the country were invited to take part and some of our schools took their dashes inside due to bad weather.

Lowestoft Journal: Pupils at Woods Loke Primary School in Lowestoft give a thumbs up to the fun activities. Picture: Woods Loke PrimaryPupils at Woods Loke Primary School in Lowestoft give a thumbs up to the fun activities. Picture: Woods Loke Primary (Image: Woods Loke Primary)

"It's just about being active and, above all, having fun."

Pupils from the nursery section through to the Year two classes at The Limes Primary Academy in Lowestoft all took part in the Santa Dash.

Lowestoft Journal: Pupils in Reception at The Limes Primary Academy in Lowestoft taking part in the Santa Dash. Picture: The Limes Primary AcademyPupils in Reception at The Limes Primary Academy in Lowestoft taking part in the Santa Dash. Picture: The Limes Primary Academy (Image: The Limes Primary Academy)

Lowestoft Journal: Pupils and staff in Nursery at The Limes Primary Academy in Lowestoft taking part in the Santa Dash. Picture: The Limes Primary AcademyPupils and staff in Nursery at The Limes Primary Academy in Lowestoft taking part in the Santa Dash. Picture: The Limes Primary Academy (Image: The Limes Primary Academy)

Children at Northfield St Nicholas Primary Academy in Lowestoft combined their Santa Dash with a whole school PE enrichment day, while Woods Loke Primary pupils played Dash dodgeball and other fun games.

Lowestoft Journal: Staff and pupils at Northfield St Nicholas Primary Academy in Lowestoft combined their Santa Dash with a whole school PE enrichment day. Picture: Northfield St Nicholas Primary AcademyStaff and pupils at Northfield St Nicholas Primary Academy in Lowestoft combined their Santa Dash with a whole school PE enrichment day. Picture: Northfield St Nicholas Primary Academy (Image: Northfield St Nicholas Primary Academy)

Lowestoft Journal: Pupils at Woods Loke Primary School in Lowestoft playing Dash dodgeball. Picture: Woods Loke PrimaryPupils at Woods Loke Primary School in Lowestoft playing Dash dodgeball. Picture: Woods Loke Primary (Image: Woods Loke Primary)

Lowestoft Journal: Pupils at Northfield St Nicholas Primary Academy in Lowestoft combined their Santa Dash with a whole school PE enrichment day. Picture: Northfield St Nicholas Primary AcademyPupils at Northfield St Nicholas Primary Academy in Lowestoft combined their Santa Dash with a whole school PE enrichment day. Picture: Northfield St Nicholas Primary Academy (Image: Northfield St Nicholas Primary Academy)

At Brampton Church of England Primary School, pupils in Year's one to six all took part.

Lowestoft Journal: Pupils in year's one and two at Brampton Church of England Primary School embark on the Santa Dash. Picture: Brampton Church of England Primary SchoolPupils in year's one and two at Brampton Church of England Primary School embark on the Santa Dash. Picture: Brampton Church of England Primary School (Image: Brampton Church of England Primary School)

A school spokesman said: "Year 1 and 2 started with a warm up, playing Santa says - rather than Simon says - before they got creative in groups by making obstacle courses out of different PE equipment with a Christmas theme and shared their courses with everyone else.

"They finished their PE lesson outside with a Santa run on the school playground."

Lowestoft Journal: Pupils in year's three and four at Brampton Church of England Primary School embark on the Santa Dash. Picture: Brampton Church of England Primary SchoolPupils in year's three and four at Brampton Church of England Primary School embark on the Santa Dash. Picture: Brampton Church of England Primary School (Image: Brampton Church of England Primary School)

The school said that Year 3 and 4 pupils embarked on a Santa dash on the field before completing some pyramid running, which included 30-second, one minute and 1min 30sec runs.

In Year's 5 and 6, class teacher Mr Jeal wore a Santa suit and joined in as they completed several laps of the muddy field, before embarking on some fun races.

Lowestoft Journal: Children at Bramfield Church of England Primary School taking part in the Santa Dash. Picture: Bramfield Church of England Primary SchoolChildren at Bramfield Church of England Primary School taking part in the Santa Dash. Picture: Bramfield Church of England Primary School (Image: Bramfield Church of England Primary School)

Santa Says, Christmas-themed obstacle courses and runs around the playground also kept children at Bramfield Church of England Primary School active and entertained.