It was coffee break time on a grand scale when businesses in and around Falmouth and Penryn took time out to raise money for charity.

Among those support this year's World's Biggest Coffee Morning, which has become an annual fundraising event nationally in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support, were pupils at Falmouth Primary School.

The youngsters dressed in pink for the event and were joined by members of the community including Rev Stewart Turner from All Saint's Church and PSCO Scott Laity from Falmouth police station.

The school raised around £185 through their efforts.

Staff and customers at Falmouth's Bonmarche clothes store held an event and improved on last year's fundraising total by collecting £210.

Christine Groom, sales assistant, said: "We're absolutely delighted. All our regular customers came in and we did very, very well. We even had people who wouldn't normally come in, just to give a donation, which was very nice. Obviously it meant a lot to them."

Staff organised a raffle and a coffee morning that included home-made cakes.

Customers and instructors at the Curves gym in Penryn ditched their diets for the morning to hold an event.

The gym offered a range of tempting cakes and biscuits and made £160 in the process.

Manager Sarah Christmas said: "A lot of people are affected by cancer so it is good for people to show their support."

The gym was also raising money for Yummy Mummy, a charity for children with cancer and leukaemia.

In Mabe a coffee morning was held in the village hall, raising £633.

Contributions for the stalls came from the garden club, the bowling club, the WI and general helpers from the village.

Organiser Ruth Smith said: "A lot of people helped from the village. There were a lot of people here - more than we have ever had. Everyone has been very generous and of course the weather helped."

A coffee morning held at the Falmouth Central Spiritualist Church in Quarry Hill resulted in £150 being raised.

Organiser Dean Evans thanked all of the church members who supported the event and the generosity of those that attended.