IT'S been that time of year again, when around the country normally shy and retiring people dress up, act silly and make right exhibitions of themselves.

No, everyone has not just gone mad, it was all in aid of BBC Children in Need.

Redbridge has been no exception, and as usual there were many examples of kind-hearted people, from council workers to teachers who went out of their way on Friday to raise money for Britain's children's charities.

Primary schools are always particularly keen to do something in support of Children in Need, and this year saw many local schools getting involved.

Teachers at Nightingale Primary School in South Woodford put on a show that all the children paid 50p to watch, and pupils also brought in their spare change.

Throughout the day, classes were taken into the library where there were three outlines of Pudsey the Bear drawn out, and their task was to try and fill the outlines in with their 1ps, 2ps and 5ps.

Thanks to the hard work and generosity of all at the school, they managed to raise a huge total of £530.

At Roding Primary School's nursery, the nursery nurse teacher Sarah Maguire had the good idea of holding a teddy bears picnic and raised £54.

Elsewhere that day, in Woodford Green Library, the children's librarian Alison King dressed up in traditional Arabic costume and performed four Arabic dances to music throughout the day. This was much to the enjoyment of the readers and staff, and she managed to raise over £63 through donations.

There were more ridiculous sights to be found at the First Stop Shop, Leyton house, where the staff dressed up as The Simpsons and roamed the corridors and offices selling raffle tickets, holding a prize draw at the end of the day.

Staff at the Redbridge and Waltham Forest Health Authority also got into the swing of things by paying £1 for the

privilege of dressing up or down, and using the staff car park.

One brave worker, supplies assistant Robert Devonshire, even parted with his hair for a few pennies. Robert took the courageous step of having a half leg wax and a number one haircut, courtesy of Tony Adam's in Ilford.

He said: "The leg wax was one of the most painful things ever. And now that it's so cold, my head's freezing but I'm glad I went through with it."

Fellow colleague Paula Thomas, a self confessed arachnophobic, held a hairy-legged tarantula skin at London Zoo, after losing the bet that Mr Devonshire would raise less than £200.

According to staff, the most memorable sight that day was the directors Louie Hartnett's and Steve Peacock's performance to Tom Jones Sex Bomb.

Good sport Mr Hartnett, director of partnership development said: "It was nerve racking and slightly embarassing to perform in front of a large audience but I'm happy that it raised so much for charity."

The authority has so far raised £350 but that figure is rising, with money still pouring in.

By.Elizabeth McGrath