EAST Lancashire festive fundraisers collected thousands of pounds for charity by donning jolly jingling jumpers.

And continuing the Christmas-themed collection, fans at Ewood Park for Rovers's game against Charlton Athletic today will be putting on their woolly wonders for the Blackburn Youth Zone.

The tradition was continued by youngsters at Audley Junior School, in Blackburn, who wore their Christmas jumpers to raise more than £1,000 for the East Lancashire Hospice.

Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson wore his sweater, which was adorned with a Christmas Tree and baubles, to raise money for Save the Children.

He said: "I'm delighted to support Save the Children to help raise funds for its vital work in the UK and around the world, and what better way to do this than to get into the festive spirit and take part in their Christmas Jumper Day campaign.”

In its third year, the charity's jumper day brought together supporters and campaigners to be part of its woolly revolution to 'make the world better with a sweater’.

The money raised from Christmas Jumper Day will help to save lives in some of the toughest parts of the world, and give children living in poverty in the UK the chance to fulfil their potential.

Business supporters of Blackburn Youth were also showing their festive spirit by wearing their sparkliest and brightest knitwear.

The money raised will go towards offering children, who might not be able to celebrate the festive season at home, the chance to have a special party at the town centre facility.

Julia Wright, business development manager at the youth zone, said: "Hopefully we will raise lots of money for the youth zone.

"We are open every day of the year and we want to make sure we are doing some very special things for the young people who come to us.

"We want our members to have somewhere nice to go over Christmas."

And staff, volunteers and day therapy patients at Pendleside Hospice have also been getting involved in the Christmas campaign to raise vital funds for the organisation.

Businesses, schools and social groups can take part throughout December by asking people to donate £1 to wear their jumper or £2 if they do not.

Sammi Bracewell, fundraiser for Pendleside Hospice, said: “Christmas Jumper Day is such a fun and easy way for people to support their local hospice this Christmas."

Christmas jumpers became popular in the UK during the 1980s after a variety of television presenters such as Giles Brandreth and Timmy Mallett began wearing them during the Christmas holidays.

The charity Save the Children runs an annual Christmas Jumper Day each year in December using the slogan "Make the world better with a sweater". It encourages people to raise money for the charity by wearing their Christmas jumpers on a specific day.

A survey conducted in 2012 showed that 41 per cent of the British population owned a Christmas-themed jumper, which increased to 50 per cent within London and Wales.

Colin Firth and Renee Zelwegger wore matching Christmas jumpers in the film Bridget Jones's Diary. Firth's was particularly pleasing, featuring a polo neck and Rudolph on the front.