THOUSANDS of people throughout the county took part in the World's Biggest Coffee Morning to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Relief.

In Basingstoke, countless coffee drinkers took up the challenge to have a perfect cuppa and raise much-needed cash in the process.

Last year, 1.5 million people throughout the UK took part in the fundraiser, helping to raise £4.3million for the charity and earning a place in the Guinness Book of World Records as part of the largest coffee morning in the world.

Several north Hampshire schools got involved, including Robert May's in Odiham, where students and staff helped raise money by selling cakes and holding a raffle.

Around 310 pupils and parents at Kingsclere C E Primary School also joined in and students also took part in a non-school uniform day to raise even more money for the worthwhile cause.

Organiser Alison Collington, whose eight-year-old son Ross Collington attends the school, said: "We did very well indeed. The children brought in donations or cakes to sell in exchange for the dress-down day, so we had already raised £230 before the coffee morning began."

Lychpit Playgroup also took part, and deputy playgroup assistant Caroline Craw-ford, who organised their event, said: "We had a small gathering, but every little helps. "It was absolutely brilliant. All the children enjoyed themselves and so did the parents."

Other smaller groups and business also joined in. The Grapevine Delicatessen in Odiham raised more than £500 in donations from the 120 visitors, and in excess of £200 was raised by 39 guests at the Methodist Church Hall in Kingsclere.

Other coffee mornings were held at Tulipa Crafts in Tadley, Basingstoke Sports Centre in Porchester Square, and Pots 2 Paint in Festival Place.