THE Oxford Bus Company is doing its bit for Red Nose Day today when a special Red Nose bus takes to the roads.

The bus will be wearing a purpose-built red nose, designed in the company's workshops, in Watlington Road, Cowley.

The nose was fitted to the Mercedes Citaro bus by BBC South Today presenter Geraldine Peers, to launch the company's Comic Relief activities.

The bus will run on a variety of routesand all the fares will be donated to the Comic Relief appeal.

General manager Louisa Weeks said: "We were looking for a way to take part in the day's events and play our part in a really worthwhile cause."

The special Red Nose was created by bodyshop chargehand Andy Seeney.

Mr Seeney added: "The Comic Relief organisers haven't made a nose big enough for a bus.

"When I did my apprenticeship as a vehicle bodybuilder all those years ago I never thought I would be using those skills on a big red nose."

Noses will turn red across Oxfordshire today, as people stage silly stunts for Comic Relief.

Many Comic Relief events, raising money for vulnerable people in the UK and Africa, have already taken place around the county this week and hundreds more will happen today and over the weekend.

Oxford Cheetahs speedway promoter Aaron Lanney is inviting people to put on their best underpants and join him for a run around the team's track.

He hopes to raise £1,000 at the event from 6pm today at the Oxford Stadium, in Sandy Lane, Blackbird Leys.

Staff from Abingdon publishers Taylor and Francis played cricket on a very slippery wicket for Comic Relief last weekend. They braved freezing weather to play a match on ice in Estonia.

Team manager Nick Browne said: "We thought this would be such a cool way for us to raise lots of money for Comic Relief, though our noses naturally turned red."

Lonely hearts can find love for a good cause, at a Singles Mingle at The Royal Oak pub, in Woodstock Road, Oxford, tonight from 8pm. Everyone must wear something red and donate £3 towards the fundraising total.

Jade Newman, 17, and Karazan Wakelin, 15, are hosting workshops at The Marlborough School, in Woodstock; Cheney School in Oxford; and The Warriner School, in Bloxham. The 'No Joke' campaign aims to encourage children to seek help if they are victims of abuse.

Three children from Kidlington set up a bric-a-brac stall outside their house to sell cakes, toys and books for people in need.

Eva Morris, eight, and friends Charlotte, seven, and Ella, seven, offered their wares in Barn Close yesterday.

A little book of Red Nose recipes donated by Oxford University chefs also went on sale this week. It can be bought from the university's offices in Wellington Square.

A Red Nose screening of the new film Mr Bean's Holiday takes place on Sunday at 3.30pm. Tickets are £10 for adults and £5 for children at the Vue Cinema, in Grenoble Road. Minchery Farm.

Five fundraising finalists will be showing off their spectacular skills for BBC Radio Oxford's The Big Talent show tonight.

The show at the New Theatre, which will be broadcast live, will be judged by Strictly Come Dancing star Anton du Beke.

  • If you are raising money for Comic Relief, let us know. Call the newsdesk on 01865 425441 or email nqonews@nqo.com You can submit pictures of your fundraising antics by email to oxpix@nqo.com