DOZENS of Wyre Forest folk pulled off crazy stunts and donned fabulous fancy dress to help raise thousands of pounds for Children In Need.

Piracy, bowler hats, beard-growing and leg-waxing were all on the agenda as companies and individuals joined in the fun.

Staff at Ceramaspeed in Oldington, Kidderminster, makers of heating elements for ceramic hobs, combined 30th birthday celebratory theme days with fund-raising for the BBC charity.

They collected a fantastic £1,031 by hosting quizzes, a photo competition and a raffle and by donning fancy dress - and now company directors have agreed to match the sum raised, making a grand total of £2,062.

"It was our highest total yet and everyone had a great time taking part," said Bernadette Green.

Staff dressed as pirates at Foley Self Drive in Kidderminster to "shiver the timbers" of customers and persuade them to part with £250.88 - a record for the company.

Nine employees at audio console manufacturers Klark Teknik were sponsored to cultivate beards for the annual BBC fund-raiser - with varying degrees of success.

Regular beard wearer Phill Skidmore's facial locks grew dramatically during the exercise, stretching to his chest, while fellow workers Rob Parry and Dan Holloway went for a trendy stubble look.

Celebrity-signed bowler hats were among items which went under the hammer at a Children in Need auction at Kidderminster Harriers' ground.

The hats, signed and customised by stars including Joan Rivers, Billy Connolly, Vanessa Redgrave and Peter O'Toole, were up for grabs alongside lots ranging from a signed Emmerdale script to a family meal at Planet Hollywood.

At Kidderminster store The Range three brave workers - Carol Dunford, Sue Woodhall and Phillip Price - had their heads shaved to help raise about £1,000, including a collection in-store and donations from organisations including The Sportsman pub, which gave £51.

Carol said after her ordeal: "I had collar-length hair before and it has come as a bit of a shock as I'm really feeling the cold. But it was worth it to raise so much money."

Shoppers in Kidderminster's Swan Centre were serenaded by the music of Al Boden and his Organic Hillbillies and enjoyed entertainment from children's groups and dancers during a day of celebrations. The amount raised was more than £900, with centre manager Margaret Moon pledging to make up the total to £1,000.

The contributions from Wyre Forest events helped the BBC raise in excess of £15 million.