UNIFORMS and suits were swapped for fancy dress yesterday as hundreds of people across the town helped to raise money for Comic Relief.

Flash mobs, headshaves and a zumbathon were just some of the ways fundraisers helped to collect cash on Red Nose Day.

About 35 employees from RCUK Shared Services Centre surprised hundreds of their colleagues by performing a flash mob dance in the car park to One Direction’s Comic Relief single, One Way or Another.

One of the organisers, Matthew Stanton, head of customer services, said: “It has taken about four weeks of planning, we have been practising at the weekends and evenings.

“This is the first time the Shared Services Centre has had an opportunity to support Comic Relief and have fun and make fools of ourselves.”

Karen Cooke, people engagement manager, said: “We are really pleased with everbody’s enthusiasm.”

Meanwhile, the Harvester in Blunsdon held a fun day, a headshave and a leg wax took place at Sainsbury’s in the town centre, kids dressed as superheroes at Rodbourne Cheney Primary School and a danceathon took place at Sainsbury’s Bridgemead.

St Leonard’s Primary Academy in Blunsdon raised more than £440 through a pyjama day, bring and buy sale and selling red noses.

Southfield Junior School was aiming to raise £4,000 with Comic Relief events.

Pupils and staff at the school in Highworth wore fancy dress and donated money to choose which teacher would get spaghetti and tomato sauce thrown over them.

Headteacher Nicola Anderton, who was dressed as Mr Tickle, said: “Comic Relief is something I am very passionate about.

“We have got across to the children that it is not about us feeling sorry for people, it is about saying we can make a difference so let’s do it.”