Hair-raising antics, dressing up and partying down were the order of the day as thousands of people joined in the fun for Comic Relief yesterday.

Across Sussex, people donned red noses, big hair and huge smiles to raise money for the charity.

Wacky events included two councillors holding a surgery on dodgems, numerous head shaves and helpers at a nursery recording a CD of children's rhymes.

Two radio presenters had red eyes as well as red noses as they arrived at Withdean after a crawl around all 92 league football clubs.

Brighton was the final checkpoint for BBC Radio 1's Mark "Chappers" Chapman and "Comedy" Dave Vitty, sidekicks to DJ Chris Moyles, who collected signed shirts, balls and memorabilia from every team, to be given away in a competition.

The Radio 1 people carrier pulled into Withdean and they were duly presented with a signed shirt by the club's three goalkeepers Dave Beasant, Michel Kuipers and Will Packham.

Chappers said he was relieved to have finished - there was just the trip up to London to be back in the studio with Chris Moyles for 5pm ahead of them.

He said: "We left exactly a week ago and have so far clocked up 2,615 miles. So by the time we reach the studio it will be about 2,700."

Dave added: "It's great to finish in Brighton. We couldn't ask for more - the sun is out and it's a lovely place to wind up.

"There was every chance we would only get 75 or 80 clubs done but we have exceeded all of our expectations."

Matt Cook, of the Nationwide, presented the pair with a cheque for £10,000 for completing their mission.

Elsewhere, staff at Wonder Years Nursery, Surrenden Crescent, Brighton, recorded a CD of nursery rhymes and have already raised more than £300.

Manager Melanie Thornton said: "We only made 50 copies and have a waiting list for more. We had it played on Juice FM and one of the mothers is working for Comic Relief, so we are hoping it can be featured on the television too."

City College Brighton and Hove's deputy principal John Evans was left with more hair on his red nose than his head after a severe grade one trim.

He was shorn by Brenda Paige, a student on an intensive hairdressing course, in front of students and staff.

The shearing raised £330 and afterwards he said: "At every level in an organisation one has to do one's bit."

Red Nose Day was the climax of a week of science fun for youngsters at Telscombe Cliffs Community Primary School.

Assistant head Keith Triggs said: "Children came in with mad hair, watched science-based films in the hall and sold cakes they made themselves."

Staff at Ridgewoods Hair Salon, Western Road, Hove, dressed up as celebrities, including Jennifer Lopez, Uma Thurman and Penelope Pitstop.

Organiser Jessica Lezard said: "We organised a competition of guess the baby photograph and we're also giving 50 per cent of our takings plus all our tips to Comic Relief."

Councillors in Littlehampton took the opportunity to dodge difficult questions by holding a surgery on bumper cars.

Former mayors Mark Butler and Mike Northeast charged electors £1 to ask them about rubbish and street cleaning while riding the dodgems at Harbour Park.

Coun Butler said it was a fun event which raised about £50.

Children at St Joseph's Catholic School in Hollingdean, Brighton, took part in a sponsored skip.

Youngsters gained sponsorship from friends and family and were allowed to wear red and have big hair for the event.

Monkey Business day nursery at Salisbury Road, Hove, held a children's mad hair day.

Staff from Legal and General in Hove volunteered to man the phones during the evening as part of the fund-raising effort.

Internal marketing consultant Sarah Wright said: "About 180 staff volunteered to work from 6.30pm to 2am as part of the world's largest virtual call centre."

She said senior director John Pollock was among these and players from the Albion were due to make a morale-boosting visit.

About 100 staff from call centre Inkfish cheered on colleagues who held a lunchtime singalong outside Churchill Square, Brighton.

A spokeswoman said collections continued among staff until 7pm and more money was raised at an auction of skills.

Teachers held a charity Pop Idol event at Durrington Middle School.

Headteacher Bob Pavard said: "We also had a competition for the best crazy hair and cake sales."

Sheer Classics hair salon at Hillside Avenue, Seaford, held a day of events, including a sponsored puzzle. Employees also had big red hair.

And Len Parkyn, head of further education at Cherry Trees Further Education Centre in Foredown Road, Portslade, was a new man after cutting off his 26in beard.