THERE was certainly a buzz around school when teaching assistant Amanda Bennett walked into class ­— surprising her busy little bees.

Amanda swapped her smart work outfit for a bumble bee costume, which she spent the school day in and wore later that evening at the annual Manchester Midnight Walk.

The Little Hulton mum-of-two was walking and raising money in memory of husband Stephen, who died at the age of just 39 seven years ago from multiple myeloma, a type of bone marrow cancer.

Pupils from Wharton Primary School where Amanda works were allowed to put on their own style in return for a one pound donation which raised £300.

Winners of a colouring competition to design a Wharton Bee received a prize and had their designs displayed on the school walls.

Amanda joined more than 1,000 other walkers in a 10k stroll around Manchester city centre.

The walk was organised by St Ann's Hospice where Stephen spent his final night in its Little Hulton hospice.

The charity adopted a bee theme for its annual flagship fundraising event which began 13 years ago and has raised more than £2 million during that time.

Amanda, who has sons Oliver, aged 11, and Jack, aged 13, said: "I'd like to thank everyone at the school for supporting the fundraising idea. The children understand the important job done by staff at St Ann's and wanted to give something back to them.

"The hospice is a wonderful place and has helped so many in our local community. I walked with my best friend Paula Houghton and did so with pride and we're proud to be from Little Hulton."

Steve, a fitness enthusiast, was in the Parachute Regiment for 12 years.

Amanda said: "He woke up one Monday morning not feeling well and by the Friday he was paralysed with a tumour so big it had cut his spinal cord. He then spent 51 weeks at Salford Royal Hospital."

The walk, sponsored by Betfred, started and ended at Manchester Cathedral.

Also taking part were TV production co-ordinators Kerri Burbidge and Aimee Whelan

Kerri, from Stoneclough, dressed as a giraffe while Aimee, from Lytham, wore a penguin outfit.

The pair went straight from the final day of filming on a new ITV drama at Media City to Manchester Cathedral for the walk.

Costumes left over from the production were donated to St Ann's Hospice charity shops.

Kerri was walking in memory of her late granddad Gordon Burbidge, a retired teacher, who was treated by the St Ann's Hospice at Home team.

Kerri said: "We didn't realise there was a bee theme to this year's walk until we'd bought our costumes but it didn't matter. It's such a fun evening joining 1,000 other walkers to raise money for a fantastic charity."

Hospice Chief Executive, Eamonn O’Neal, said: "What an incredible night, and one that really highlighted what’s so special about people from Greater Manchester.

"Seeing everyone gathered together to raise money for local patients was amazing and as well as helping St Ann’s continue to provide our care, it was great to see that people had a fantastic night."