THOUSANDS of people over the town took the grind out of their working day - and raised cash for charity at the same time.

Workers from dozens of Swindon firms took time out to thrown themselves into Macmillan Cancer Support's World's Biggest Coffee Morning.

At the Great Western Hospital's Osprey ward, everyone from patients to relatives were turning up for a cup of the warm stuff.

Lorraine Hayward, one of the organisers, said: "It was great to see so many people get involved in the day.

"We had everyone from nurses and patients to doctors and relatives turn up and enjoy a mug for a good cause."

Despite the rain, a regular trickle of visitors braved the elements to enjoy a coffee at the Ranger Centre at Stanton Park in Stanton Fitzwarren.

"It's been a superb day," said Johannah Fawthrop of the Swindon Rangers Team. "The day gave us the chance to use one of the re-generated rooms in the old farmhouse, and it was the perfect venue for this sort of event.

"We decided to give the coffee out for free, and we had a collection bucket for donations and I think everyone has given something.

"There were a lot of notes in there the last time I checked."

At Appliance World in Hobley Drive in Stratton, the specialist coffee machines were brewing up the black stuff.

Lydia Pike, who works at Appliance World, said: "I think the weather might have put off some people, but we still had a lot of fun here and of course it is a great charity.

"Everyone knows someone affected by cancer so we are all happy to do our bit for them."

Several shops in the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Centre also held coffee mornings. And, as well the public coffee mornings all over Swindon, there were many others held at businesses including npower, one of Macmillan's biggest supporters, and at Nationwide House in Pipers Way.

There they are confident of having raised more than £1,500 from the simple act of supping down a cup of coffee - a few pieces of cake were involved too.

Zoe Stevens, spokeswoman for Nationwide said: "It's been a spectacular day here, and its about more than just coffee, there have been cake sales and also sales of soft toys such as beanie babies."

Graziella Campisano, Macmillan's fundraising manager in Swindon said: "I am overwhelmed by the commitment that people have shown for this year's coffee morning and I am confident that we can beat last year's totals."

The money will go towards improving Swindon's cancer services, which provide practical, medical, emotional and financial support for patients.