ZOMBIES scaring shoppers, the Gunpowder Plot and fund-raising fun all formed part of a busy weekend in Worcester.

About 100 people dressed as the undead shuffled and groaned their way around the city centre yesterday leaving shoppers and staff not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

The morbid mob pounced on people and even ambushed vehicles driving through the streets of the city.

It all formed part of the first ever Worcester Zombie Walk, part of World Zombie Day, which was raising money for the National Association For Bikers With Disabilities.

Organiser Andy Monaghan hailed the event a great success.

He said: “We were hoping to get enough people to make it worthwhile, about 50 people, but we’ve doubled that so it’s been a huge success. We are really happy with the turnout and people have made a real effort to get dressed up so it’s been a really good day.”

Meanwhile, customers walking through Woolworth’s had some fun of their own as staff dressed up in crazy, colourful costumes, painted nails and faces, organised a tombola and even took part in a bike-a-thon.

Money raised from the event, which took place over the course of the weekend at the High Street store, went to Acorns Children’s Hospice in Bath Road, Worcester.

Store manager Richard Northover said: “Woolworth’s is committed to helping put local kids first through a range of fund-raising and community support activities nationwide.

“We really want to make a difference. We are delighted to help Acorns Children’s Hospice and hope we are successful in raising lots of money for them.”

The event formed part of Woolworth’s Kids First scheme which aims to help improve the quality of children’s lives, learning and play environments in the local community.

Elsewhere, children got to go back in time to the year 1605 and learn all about the Gunpowder Plot and the key role Worcestershire played in it after Guy Fawkes was captured.

Paul Harding from Discover History said: “People don’t often make the link that Sir Richard Walsh, the High Sheriff of Worcester, actually captured the rest of the gang after a big shoot-out.”

Mr Harding said there had been a good turnout for the event, which took place at the Tudor House, Friar Street, on Saturday.