A BT employee showed he is simply the best by dressing up as Tina Turner to raise money for charity.

Herman Boston, of Liden, donned high heels and a huge wig to help generate funds for Cancer Research ahead of the Relay For Life at Lydiard Park on Saturday, September 30.

The 44-year-old is taking part in the non-athletic 24-hour charity event with 10 friends and colleagues.

As a dare, Herman decided to dress up as the famous singer to entice his workmates into visiting a special stall he and his teammates had set up in the foyer of North Star House.

"We said as a team we wanted to raise £1,000 and so we decided to hold a cake sale and a raffle to help us reach the total," explained Herman.

"I only said I would dress up as Tina Turner for a dare.

"One of the girls in the team, Sharon Hughes, came up with the idea, and the other girls in the team wore wigs as they were selling cakes.

"We also had a raffle for an iPod and had a guess the number of jelly babies in a jar' competition. We raised more than £450, so we're well on our way to reaching our target."

The BT team of Herman, Sharon, Debbie Merifield, Sharon Smith, Aldean Fisher, Sarah Viggers, Ros Marsh, Peter Okell, Graham Medlycott, Clare Woolford and Sue Wadmore have nicknamed themselves the Jelly Babies and are planning to dress up as jelly babies on the day of the Relay For Life.

"We saw the Relay For Life advertised and we thought it would be a good thing to get involved in," Herman said.

"Most of us at some time have known somebody who has been affected by cancer. My mother-in-law died nine years ago from cancer and my sister was diagnosed with it last year, but she has been given the all-clear."

Relay For Life is the largest non-profit fundraising event in the world. In 2004 it raised more than £300m and more than three million people participated.

It is a 24-hour event in which people take it in turn to walk around the track at Lydiard Park.

This year is the first time it has been held in Swindon.

It is not a sponsored event as the money is raised prior to the relay by people taking part.

The Relay For Life costs £10 per person and, if more than 10 people register in a team, the maximum registration fee is still only £100.

Team members take turns walking around the track - keeping somebody on it at all times.

When not on the track all other team members can raise additional money by having a stall next to their tent or participate in the games and activities organised for all.

l If you would like to enter a team or would like more details about the Swindon Relay For Life contact Tania O'Halloran on 01793 485448.