IT was red-noses all round on Friday - and big hair too - as people dug deep into their pockets, and their hair gel, to support Comic Relief.

The charity's theme this year was Big Hair and Beyond, so school children and workers threw themselves into the day by changing their appearances. And the results were hair raising.

Staff from the call centre at Freedom Finance turned themselves into doubles of their favourite TV stars for the day, and managed to raise £500 pounds by lunchtime.

Laser guns were set on stun mode in the Freedom Finance call centre, as characters from Star Wars and Star Trek found themselves sitting at opposite desks.

They were, however, strictly supervised by colleagues dressed as police officers from cop show The Bill.

Manager Carl Burbridge dressed as weight-guru Majorie Doors, a character from the BBC comedy Little Britain, and called-off fat fighters for the day by selling cakes.

The brave manager also agreed to wax his legs for the full effect. And the company had a whip-round to raise money for a chance to see the painful spectacle.

Sharon Cooper, head of human resources and training, said: "We hope to raise £1,000 by the end of the day.

"Carl is having his legs waxed and the amount of money raised depends on how many people want to see him cry!"

Staff at Alderley Edge hairdressers Second Opinion asked clients to only donate paper money, so nothing less than £5 per person would do.

And the salon dog, Beau, showed his support by becoming a wig-wearing, waggy-tailed mascot for the day.

The generous staff also agreed to give a percentage of the days takings and all their gratuities.

Elsewhere, children from schools in Alderley Edge, Wilmslow and Handforth all raised money by having a non-uniform day with a distinctly red twist.

Pupils and teachers from Wilmslow's Ashdene Primary raised £420 to dress in red for the day. And they arrived with crazy hairstyles to celebrate the Big Hair and Beyond theme.

Ryley's School, at Alderley Edge, also held a non-uniform and wild-hair day for teachers and pupils.

The event was topped-off by a competition for the best combination of hair and clothes, with an early chocolate Easter egg as first prize.

Alderley Edge Primary School took the big hair theme to new heights, when year three pupils were provided with moustaches.

Meanwhile, Lindow Primary School, at Wilmslow, raised £120 by asking the children to bring in £1 to dress in red and ditch their uniforms.

And similar events took place at Oaklands Infant School, in Handforth,where pupils dressed in red.