BARMY Boltonians painted the town red as they got into the spirit of Comic Relief.

Schools and businesses across Bolton lost hold of their senses as they joined in the fun for Red Nose Day.

Staff at Shannon Court Nursing Home, Radcliffe Road, dressed as policemen and women, watched as senior managers plunged themselves into a bath full of porridge and then quivered as a hotpotch of beans, peas and sour milk were poured over them.

Deputy manager Beverly Cropper said: "I had to get a shower straight away because I was covered in the stuff!.

"It was a horrible experience and the smell made me a bit queasy.

"But it was good fun and the money was raised for a worthy cause."

Employees from Jane Michaels hairdressers and Take A Break cafe, in Gladstone Road, Farnworth, teamed up and dressed in pyjamas as they served customers. Cooks at the food outlet even concocted lasagnes with red noses for hungry customers.

At the Royal Mail office in Stonehill Road, Farnworth, staff braved the bad weather for a car washing session and one employee agreed to watch as his Afro locks disappeared for a sponsored head shave.

Royal Mail spokesman Jason Crompton said: "Everybody had a great time and we raised a few thousand pounds even before the day finished."

At Farnworth solicitors Lansdale and Holdsworth, staff dressed up as different characters from the colourful life of one of the firms partners, Leslie Shimmin.

Nightclub bouncers, skiers, chefs and hairdressers all turned out in force to represent the rich and varied employment history of the 41-year-old legal worker.

Events for Comic Relief, Big Hair and Beyond continued throughout the night into

this morning across the country

The annual fundraising drive aims to end poverty and social injustice in the UK and some of the poorest countries around the world.