THE region had their red noses at the ready yesterday to join in the comedy antics for this year’s Comic Relief.

Hundreds of fundraisers got in touch with their inner comedians to dream up ridiculous stunts and help raise the millions of pounds needed for deprived people in the UK and in Africa.

Children at West Jesmond Primary looked like they’d just rolled out of bed when they turned up for class yesterday donning their best pyjamas and dressing gowns.

The slipper-clad youngsters stayed in their nightwear throughout the day while they took part on a host of other fun activities and collectively they raised more than £1,000.

Headteacher Gary Wallace-Clark said: “It was an absolutely fantastic day and the children have loved it. I think seeing all of their teachers in pyjamas has been a lot of fun for them.”

He added: “What I think was really marvellous was children in just one class had raised enough money to save the sight of seven children in Africa. The children were very proud of that and I was very moved by that when they came and told me.”

Workers at Siemens IT Solutions and Services in Durham city centre decided to test their stomachs by holding cracker and stottie eating contests.

The hungry group of seven from the service desk team competed against each other to see who could eat three cream crackers in the quickest time.

Martin Parker, an coordinator, decided to take on both eating challenges. He said: “I think my build may have had something to do with why I took part and I think there was quite a few wagers putting me first but unfortunately I didn’t pull through.”

The stottie contest was won by David Thompson wiped the floor with the competition eating his in four minutes nine seconds.

Margaret Wallace, lead training specialist at Siemens, said: “We had five contestants who took part in the stottie race and they valiantly ate their way through.” While they were filling their faces, colleagues held an array of other activities including a hot dog sale, a home baking sale, a photography competition and a caption competition and were on target to reach their fundraising goal of £3,000.

Babies and toddlers at Communi-Kids at St Aiden’s Community Centre, in Gosforth, Newcastle, got their first taste of Red Nose Day fun by dressing up in fancy dress costumes.

Parents turned out with their glamorous-looking little ones and donated money for the pleasure, raising a grand total of £50 for Comic Relief.

Leigh Geddes, who runs the Communi-Kids group, said: “All the kids got dressed up and came along with their parents. Everyone had a great day and we raised £50.”

Red Nose Day turned into Red Chest Day for one courageous North East fundraiser at Newcastle Building Society.

Dave Pearson, who works in the finance procurement department at their Newcastle offices, agreed to get his chest waxed to raise money for Comic Relief.

Daring Dave initially didn’t think he would reach his target of around £350 for the charity, but his brave effort saw him well on track to reach, if not surpass that figure after his colleagues filled in his first sponsorship form in a single afternoon.