SCHOOLS, shops and offices across East Lancashire swapped the daily grind for a charity fun day to raise money for the 25th annual Children in Need fundraising.

Activities ranged from mad hair days and fancy dress parades to the more refined tea dances.

Hair and beauty students from Blackburn College donned Santa costumes and reindeer antlers while they went about their business to raise cash.

Youngsters at Higher Croft Primary School in Fishmoor Drive, Blackburn, held an X-Factor style competition where pupils sang their favourite songs.

Children were also allowed to mess up hair into their maddest style. Bald headmaster Barry Clarke could not mess his hair up, but luckily one student helpfully provided a wig.

Toddlers from Oscar Bear's day nursery, Pleasington Street, Blackburn, enjoyed a pyjama party to raise cash.

Staff at Blackburn's Marks and Spencer store got into the spirit of the occasion, donning fancy dress. Customers were greeted by Worzel Gummidge, Batman, Dolly Parton and Superman while they stocked up on their Christmas shopping.

Fancy dress also proved popular with Darwen drinkers who had a pub crawl from Darwen's Cemetery pub.