LITTLE tots from Wonderland Kindergarten, in Ashton, are tops when it comes to raising loads of cash for children less fortunate.

And last week's BBC Children in Need appeal was just the excuse they needed to don their colourful nightwear and spring into action with a sponsored pyjama and slippers day.

The bubbly youngsters even roped in game-for-a-laugh staff for their parade of bedtime outfits. And, their day of fun and laughter proved to be a real cash-puller, raising more than £250 for the annual charity event.

But the sponsored fun stunts were not just confined to children. Staff at HSBC Bank, in Fishergate, Preston, couldn't wait to jump on the band wagon and entertain customers with an imaginative 'guess which branch Pudsey will visit' game using a map of their branches around the world.

And, the yellow Children in Need mascot greeted customers throughout the day before helping to raffle a James and the Giant Peach cake.

Now the bank staff are busy coppering up the cash to see if they have beaten last year's record collection of £2,000.

Other good sports to join fund-raising events included solicitor John Miles, of the Blackburn-branch of Forbes Dolphin Solicitors, who teamed up with colleague and partner in the firm, Mike Blacklidge, for an 18-mile run from Preston to Clitheroe.

Their sponsored dash helped toward the North West Regional Law Society's grand total of £10,000.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.