A college principal's mortarboard and gown provided little protection when he faced a soaking from students.

Chris Thomson, principal of Brighton, Hove and Sussex Sixth Form College, braced himself with his head in his hands as students prepared to pour a bin of water over him for charity.

It left him drenched and without his mortarboard.

Watching youngsters laughed their socks off.

All Mr Thomson could do was shiver with cold after yesterday's stunt.

The drenching was part of a sponge-throwing fund-raiser for Comic Relief during which students paid £1 to throw three sponges at Mr Thomson and his colleagues Trevor Harding, manager of the Open Learning Centre, and Peter Sharkey, catering manager.

Mr Thomson estimated the water antics raised about £30.

Boys also volunteered to have their legs waxed by girls to raise money for the charity.

Mr Thomson was asked to be a wet-sponge target by the student union and was a willing candidate.

He said the students were kind enough to warm up the water in dustbin.

Mr Thomson said: "It got very cold but it was good fun and it was for a good cause."

Hundreds of people across Sussex were taking part in fund-raising events for Comic Relief's Red Nose Day today.