STAFF at a Worcester recruitment agency ditched the formal shirts and ties to raise funds for a children's charity.

Backup Staff raised £285 for Acorns Children's Hospice yesterday by coming to work in fancy dress. Many dusted off their old school uniforms for the fund-raiser.

Managing director at the city centre branch, Joe Powell, said: "We appreciate the work of the people who are in these places and that the children there are given as good a time as possible."

Mr Powell said he and his staff felt blessed that they had healthy children and praised the work of the hospice, which supports life-limited youngsters. The staff are pictured above with Andy Jarrett, centre, fund-raiser for Acorns Children's Hospice. Picture by Simon Rogers. 14191002