Thousands of pounds has been raised to support cancer sufferers as part of the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning.

The Comet: Stevenage MP Stephen McPartland joins manager Carley Clayson from Barclays Bank in Stevenage and a Macmillan volunteerStevenage MP Stephen McPartland joins manager Carley Clayson from Barclays Bank in Stevenage and a Macmillan volunteer (Image: Archant)

The annual event by Macmillan Cancer Support was held on Friday as work colleagues, schools and friends across Comet country joined in for the cause.

The Comet: A father and daughter enjoy some cakes at the Strathmore Macmillan coffee morningA father and daughter enjoy some cakes at the Strathmore Macmillan coffee morning (Image: Archant)

More than £1,000 was raised from coffe and cake sales at the Stevenage Town Centre Management Company’s event in the town square, attended by Stevenage mayor and mayoress Jack and Margaret Pickersgill, as well as Stevenage MP Stephen McPartland.

The Comet: Stevenage town centre manager Tracey Parry (second from left) with Stevenage mayor and mayoress Jack and Margaret Pickersgill and Macmillan volunteersStevenage town centre manager Tracey Parry (second from left) with Stevenage mayor and mayoress Jack and Margaret Pickersgill and Macmillan volunteers (Image: Archant)

Staff at nearby Barclays Bank also held their own coffee morning, as did employees at Stevenage Borough Council’s offices in Danestrete who sold a trolley full of cakes.

Elsewhere in Stevenage, roller skating group Full Metal Roller Derby hosted an event at the TNT Skate shop and raised £310, while the Richmond House Group invited customers to its refurbished offices for hot drinks and cake.

Shades Hair Studio went one step further with a charity waxing in aid of Macmillan.

In Hitchin, parents and staff from Strathmore Infant and Nursery School came together for a coffee morning and were able to donate £200 to Macmillan, while students and teachers at The Knights Templar School in Baldock also got in the act.

About 850 cupcakes, flapjacks and crispy cakes had been made in food technology lessons by students before going on sale for £1.

“When the students poured on the school field at the start of break, there was an amazing feeling of achievement,” said assistant headteacher Sara Levesley.

“There was a lovely village fete atmosphere, as students and staff stood around together enjoying their break.”

Pubs also played their part with The George IV pub in Baldock collecting more than £200 for the cause and The Three Horseshoes pub in Willian raising £360.

Further afield, Hertfordshire County Council and maintenance contractor Ringway came together for a bake off at County Hall in Hertford, with funds donated to the Lister Macmillan Cancer Centre which is set to be built at Lister Hospital in Stevenage.

• For more pictures from the event click on our gallery at the top right of the page.