THERE were all the right signs of success at a village pre-school when youngsters got in a fun mood for Comic Relief.

Staff at Carers Nest Pre-School in Potterne, near Devizes have just completed a beginners course in the sign language scheme Makaton taught by Sonia Sansom.

Manager Emma Blackmore said: "All staff found it extremely valuable, as it has taught us all the basic signs and more to help us communicate with our non verbal children, sharing our new knowledge with families too.

"Our completion of the course tied in perfectly with our themed Red Nose week, where we were raising money for Comic Relief.

" All children took part in a sponsored Makaton event. Each day children learnt new signs, from being able to sign their own names and our hello song, to learning lots of animal signs too.

"We really appreciated Sonia our Makaton tutor visiting Carers Nest during the week to read and sign the Dear Zoo story to us all, it was the perfect way to bring together the staff and children’s learning on our Makaton journey.

"This is now only the start as we are now working towards becoming a Makaton friendly setting, supporting Devizes becoming a Makaton friendly town." The sponsored Makaton sign and cake sale raised more than £200 for Comic Relief.

It was not just youngsters who got in the spirit of Red Nose Day. Older people at Marden Court, Calne and at Combe End in Marlborough also joined in the fun with coffee mornings and cake sales.

At Charlton Baker accountants in Devizes the accountants and rest of the stuff were busy counting up the cash after they held they held quizzes and sweepstakes to raise money for the cause. More than £50 was collected.