People across Oxfordshire took part in the annual Children in Need extravaganza yesterday, raising thousands of pounds for charity.

Fundraising fever hit schools, businesses and individuals, as they dreamed up wacky ways of getting sponsorship, dressing up and having fun.

The money they raise will benefit deserving causes for young people.

Earlier this year, £225,000 from last year's appeal was awarded to three groups in the county - the Blackbird Leys Adventure Playground in Oxford; the Tower Playbase in Northway, Oxford; and the Let's Play project in Banbury.

Yesterday's fundraising events were part of the national Children in Need campaign, which reached its climax with a telethon on BBC1 last night.

Organisers hoped to make this year the best yet, as they campaigned to beat the 2005 total of £33m, and people in Oxfordshire did their bit to help break the record.

Oxfordshire's own naked chef, Lewis Measey, bared almost all for the appeal, as he sold soup wearing just an apron outside the Royal Standard pub in Headington, Oxford.

Mr Measey, landlady Sam Kerr and pub staff sold soup and fresh baguettes for £1 at a stall on the pavement in London Road from 1pm to 3pm.

Mr Measey said: "I'm just like Jamie Oliver, but better-looking."

The soup kitchen stall was part of a three-day series of events at the pub, which they hope will raise hundreds of pounds.

Cheeky assistants at Child First Nursery, in Launton Road, Bicester, surprised their boss with a custard pie in front of laughing children and parents.

Dressing as clowns for the day gave them the perfect excuse to cover manager Heidi Millard in custard.

Parents sponsored the surprise custard pie fight and they will be able to see pictures of the event on the Internet and posters pinned up around the nursery.

Former Manchester United midfielder Clayton Blackmore gave Garsington Primary School pupils a run for their money, as he led a football masterclass.

Garsington Primary School teamed up with chef Mark Berridge, of Oxford-based Unipart, to organise the sponsored day of exercise and healthy eating for the older pupils.

Staff at the Nationwide Building Society branch in Market Square, Bicester, dressed up as cops and robbers.

Soon after opening, the staff had already raised £45. They hope that this will be their best year yet, after generous sponsorship and raffle prize donations from nearby businesses.

Factory workers, drivers and office staff at the Renault Formula 1 team, based in Enstone, left their fast cars behind for a day of exercise-biking in fancy dress.

Press officer Marie Hirth said: "We had all sorts of fancy dress, from bunnies to horse riders and men dressed as women."

Children in the year 4 and 5 class at Tower Hill Primary School, Witney, chose to give up their right to chatter for an hour of sponsored silence.

Teacher Marc Knight said: "They're quite a lively class and I think they found it hard, but they managed it."

Colin Ware surprised his customers at the Autoware garage in Bicester, shedding the right half of his beard and the left half of his hair, but they gave £230 to Children in Need after they got over the shock.

A fundraising day at The Oxfordshire Golf Club, near Thame, attended by more than 200 golfers, raised £15,800.

About 40 students in fancy dress from King Alfred's College braved the driving rain to collect money in Wantage.

Motoring racing and rallying firm Prodrive, based in Banbury, held a day of wacky races to raise money for Children in Need and the Oxford Children's Hospital Campaign.