From Grease’s pink ladies to Despicable Me’s yellow minions, students in Beaconsfield got creative with their costume designs ahead of the annual fun run last week.

Hundreds of children from The Beaconsfield School and Alfriston School joined forces to take part in the 5k race through the Old Town on Friday afternoon.

There was no red carpet rolled out for the children who turned up playing the part of famous movie characters, instead a trek across the Hall Barn Estate on a very sunny, warm day.

Following a procession along the drive, they run through the estate, finishing at the rugby club in Hedgerley Lane.

Mayor of Beaconsfield councillor Steve Jones, who handed out awards to the winners, said: “It’s great to support these sorts of community events.

“It has been running for 26 years and it’s always nice to see so many people get involved.

“The children really seem to embrace it and if they are taking the competition seriously or just having a laugh in their costumes they all appear to be having a really good time.”

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Town crier, Dick Smith, was also involved in proceedings, leading the students to the start line and congratulating them as they stopped the clock on the finish-line.

He said: “Today is not only fantastic weather wise – superbly sunny, warm and barmy – it’s great to see all of these kids dressed up and enjoying themselves – it’s a magic day.”

The Beaconsfield School were raising money for their main school hall and headteacher John Fletcher described it as a “spectacular” event.

He added that he wanted to thank all parents who helped marshal and organise the fun run.

With many competitors only losing breath through laughter, spectators could be forgiven for thinking it was a fun run in the most literal sense – but for one pair of best friends this was the race of their lives.

Tom Scott and Keaton August only had one thing on their mind when the race began and they stuck together all the way until the home straight, finishing first and second, respectively.

Both in Year 10, they said they always planned to stick together through the race.

Tom said: “I came sixth for the school last year and when I was in Year 8 I came 21st, so I’m really pleased to win.

“It’s brilliant, I was aiming to come first or second out of the group, but the whole way round I was running with my best friend [Keaton] and we wanted to finish in the top two together.”

The 14-year-old finished with a time of 19 minutes and 37 seconds, beating his friend by 22 seconds.

The top-placed girl was 12-year-old Grace Hudson, who crossed the line with a time of 22 minutes and six seconds.