YORK turned red for the day when schools, community groups, pubs and shops pulled out all the stops to raise cash for Comic Relief 2003 - The Big Hair Day.

Hundreds of events took place across the city as part of the national fundraising drive.

Since 1985, Comic Relief has raised more than £250m through Red Nose days and other events to help people in the UK and Africa.

Children and staff at Joseph's Nursery, Rawcliffe, surrounded themselves with all things red.

Kids wore red clothes, red noses, played with red toys and even ate red food from a red menu including jam on toast, sweet and sour chicken and red iced buns.

Children and staff from West Thorpe play group at Dringhouses also got in on the fun.

They all had their hair done in the worst styles possible to raise money for the cause.

Meanwhile, staff at two York building societies donned unusual clothing to raise cash.

Staff at the Scarborough Building Society, in the city's Market Street, faced their customers dressed in 1970s clothing.

Male members of staff Ben Ambler and Ian Hudson, volunteered to have chest and back waxes - much to the shock of their fellow workers.

The Skipton Building Society team, in Kings Square, dressed entirely in red to boost Comic Relief coffers. Elsewhere in the region, staff and pupils at Fulford school met on the football pitch for a charity game.

Student James Duffy, 17, convinced his teachers to face Year 13 pupils in the name of charity.

Other students participated in a non-uniform day and paid to "gunge" a teacher.

Staff at Card Protection Plan (CPP) in Holgate Road, York, shaved off hair on their heads, chests and faces to raise more than £500.

Charles Everett said goodbye to his slightly-receding hair, Stuart Donner welcomed a newly-shaved chest and Dave Fielding, who shaved half his beard off on Wednesday, said goodbye to his remaining whiskers.

More Comic Relief pictures and stories will appear on Monday.

Updated: 09:53 Saturday, March 15, 2003