CHILDREN in need fundraisers across the Swindon area excelled themselves in raising thousands of pounds for disadvantaged young people.

Swindon Council workers were treated to the sight of chief executive Simon Birch dressed as appeal mascot Pudsey Bear.

All staff were invited to pay £1 to take part in a dress down day. Meanwhile in the canteen, a £3 donation to the appeal bought a meal of gruel, soup and sandwiches.

In the morning, some of the male staff at the council's Premier House site donned hairnets and curlers and offered to put a shine on people's computer terminals in exchange for donations. There was also a Children in Need shoeshine stand in the lobby of Premier House and various fancy dress events in all council buildings throughout the day.

Perhaps the bravest fundraiser was Nicky Jupp from Lancaster Square in Lyneham, who is an educational development worker based at Nythe Primary School. In order to add a little colour to the cold early morning, she turned up at Swindon's Magic Roundabout wearing a bikini.

Being careful not to distract drivers too much, she hoped to raise about £50 for the appeal.

She said: "I wasn't really cold it was probably the adrenaline!"

Meanwhile drag, among other things, was the order of Children in Need Day at Cameo, a hairdressing salon in High Street Chiseldon.

Local plumber Roy Collins, who declined to give his age because "it's rude to ask a lady", and who is the partner of one of the staff, appeared in full drag.

Later on, Mark Hutton, 38, husband of manager Linda Hutton 37, came to have his hair dyed a startling shade of peacock blue.

Both men were sponsored and helped with an ongoing collection during the day.

More than £200 had been raised long before noon.

Mrs Hutton said: "You can never raise too much money for a cause as good as Children in Need."

The Designer Outlet Village in Churchward contributed its own spectacle to the appeal when it transformed part of its interior into Space Station Pudsey II.

As well as the appeal mascot, the extravaganza featured a full scale replica of the Dr Who's Tardis which was created by skilled workers at Swindon Pressings who have up their spare time.

Adding to the science fiction theme was an appearance by actor Michael Sheard, a stalwart of the programme, along with a selection of daleks and cybermen.

There was also an imperial stormtrooper or two, moonlighting from the Star Wars series.

bhudson@newswilts.co.uk