Arundel has no trouble finding the elusive Wally!

But for amused residents in Arundel, it couldn’t have been easier, as more than 200 wacky Wallys – big and small – descended on the town.

Pupils and teachers from St Philip’s Catholic Primary School, in London Road, ditched their uniforms and replaced them with the iconic red and white striped jumper and bobble hat worn by the character in the Where’s Wally? series of books.

Last Wednesday’s (February 9) Wally escapades, part of the school’s book week, saw all the Wallys gather on the school playground to arrange their own, large-scale Where’s Wally? scene, something which even captured the imagination of Radio 2 DJ, Chris Evans.

Wishing them all the best during his live, breakfast show, he added that, “no-one was having more fun” in the UK than the boys and girls at St Philip’s.

Chairman of the Friends of St Philip’s, Lisa Samuels, who has two children at the school, said: “It was just brilliant. We had all the kids out on the playground and with their bobble hats on, they all looked the same.

“It was fantastic that it was a whole school effort, not just one year group, because we’re quite a small school. It was nice to see everyone come together, having a bit of fun – teachers included.”

It’s hoped that the picture, once printed, will be blown up into a large-scale, all-weather poster, that will adorn the school’s playground for many years to come.

Earlier in the week, as part of the annual book event, the school had a visit from author and illustrator Mark Robertson.

He spent time with each class, showing them how he creates his books and encouraging them to draw on their imaginations for inspiration in crafting their own prose.

Before leaving, Mark signed copies of his books for every child in key stage one of the school and donated a copy of his latest story, Frank ’n’ Stan, to the school’s library.

Each key stage two child was given a classic children’s story, from Treasure Island or Black Beauty to The Phoenix and the Carpet.

Head teacher Margaret Fraher, said: “The aim of our annual book week is to encourage the children with their reading and their enthusiasm for books. We love to see the children having fun whilst learning and they have certainly enjoyed themselves this week.”