RED Nose Day is being celebrated with vigour today as businesses and individuals in Bolton and Bury join forces in an array of crazy stunts to raise funds for Comic Relief.

At Kippax Beaumont Lewis solicitors, in Mawdsley Street, Bolton, office junior Danielle Carss was having her mouth taped up for the day.

Danielle, aged 17, said: "I have got a reputation as a bit of chatterbox, to say the least, and Phyllis, the office manager, had the idea last week after she said I spoke to her for ages without taking a break. It is all a bit of fun for a day, and it's raising money for a good cause, so I decided to go for it."

Cath Rourke, from KBL's accounts department, who is also doing a hairdressing night course, was taking appointments from staff to cut and style their hair in return for a donation.

Meanwhile, fun was being had at Fujitsu Services IT Support company, where staff took part in a seven-a-side football match at Burnden Leisure Centre against staff from the local NHS and Primary Care Trust.

At Oystons estate agents, in Bradshawgate, Bolton, staff wore T-shirts with their company name on while collecting donations from friends and customers.

At the Skipton Building Society, Deansgate, in return for a small donation there are drinks, nibbles and prize raffles taking place, while toddlers and staff at Dot to Dot Day Care in Seymour Road, Astley Bridge, held a Pyjama Party, with everyone paying £1 to take part.

Wendy Close, a Fred Dibnah Appeal fundraiser, was spending the day outside WH Smith in Victoria Square selling non-carat embossed-gold Fred Dibnah badges, with all proceeds going to Comic Relief.

There was a balloon race for the youngsters of Ladybridge Pre-school at Ladybridge Community Centre, and at the Shining Stars Day Nursery, in Longcauseway, Farnworth, nursery nurses Sarah Byrne and Emma Gardner were sitting in a bath of custard.

Less brave staff are staging an odd clothes day, and there was sponsored dancing for babies as well as a prince and princesses theme day for pre-school pupils.

Garry Lenny, aged 48, of Bolton, had his moustache shaved off after 31 years. Gary works in the hotel and leisure club at The Village Hotel in Bury.

l Manchester Airport's Concorde also got in on the action, donning her very own big red nose.

The team at the Aviation Viewing Park, Manchester Airport, where it is based, opened the doors on the supersonic jet to raise money for Comic Relief.