RANCID ranks of the undead have been shuffling through the city centre – all for good causes.

Young and old gathered in Broad Street made up like zombies and other creatures from the lexicon of schlock horror to support two charities yesterday.

With a cry of ‘make way for the undead’ the hoard gave a woeful moan of delight before making their way through the CrownGate Shopping Centre, surprising, shocking and delighting Sunday shoppers.

No effort was spared by more than 100 people who turned out for the Worcester Zombie Walk, in aid of the National Association of Bikers with a Disability and the ME Association.

Andy Monaghan, co-organiser, said there had been only five weeks to prepare for the event, which is the city’s contribution to World Zombie Day.

Dressed as an undead Uncle Sam, Mr Monaghan, flanked by zombie supporters, said: “It is all a bit of fun for good causes.

“The untapped resource of Worcester is its undead and we’re here to make our contribution.”

Some had travelled from Wales to take part, dressed as zombie cheerleaders, blood-stained prison inmates, undead plague victims and even the odd deceased doctor.

City onlookers grinned, pointed or were left simply open-mouthed by the display, while others reached for their camera phones for a quick picture.

IT worker Richard Adams of Larkspur Road, in St Peter’s, came dressed as a prison guard with friend and orange jump-suited inmate, Richard Kilcline.

Mr Adams said: “I’m a bit of a geek anyway.

“We’re all big zombie movie fans and watch some truly awful films at the weekends anyway so this is second nature.”

The procession made its way into Bank Street, then into Church Street before shuffling along The Shambles to Pump Street and into High Street before coming back down Broad Street.

Licensed collectors accompanied the zombies, who after their city walk gathered at the Marr’s Bar, in Pierpoint Street, for zombie movies and nibbles.