SCHOOLS around Swindon got stuck in to many marvellous and messy events to fundraise for Red Nose Day.

All 400-plus pupils at Moredon Primary School with the help of staff and North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson made the biggest red nose in Swindon by raising sheets of paper above their heads to form an enormous photo of the iconic nose adornment.

Headteacher Jan Palmer said: “It was really lovely to see everyone come together to support Comic Relief it was quite crammed and chaotic but it looked amazing and the kids loved it.

“We also held a special assembly where pupils and teachers took part in events like eating jelly with chopsticks, eating spaghetti without using their hands, competing to eat the most dry crackers in a minute, and bursting balloons by sitting on them.

“It was brilliant fun, the school cheered them on and we’ve put photos up on display in a ‘Hall of Fame’.

There was an amazing staff bake sale, the cakes were fabulous, and altogether we’re on track to raise more than £1,000.

“Hopefully now that we’ve set the record for Swindon’s biggest red nose, other schools and businesses will try to beat it next year.”

Justin said: “I was really impressed with all the enthusiasm and excitement and fantastic ideas from the children who really get behind Comic Relief, they’re a real credit to their school. Constituency visits like that are always my favourite part of being an MP.”

Lainesmead Primary School also held a big bake-off event with hundreds of cakes and one child from each year group being hailed as winners.

Headteacher Eirian Painter said: “We were overwhelmed with the fantastic contributions of Red Nose Day cakes we received for our Great Lainesmead Bake Off for Comic Relief.

“It was clear that families had worked together to produce some lovely cakes which were very popular in our cake sale at the end of the school day.

“It was important to us to take part to highlight the amazing work that Red Nose Day do.”

Lots of school pupils and business employees around the town wore red and fancy dress to support Comic Relief before returning home to enjoy the BBC telethon.