ACROSS the county people are preparing to wax, spin, gurn, run and dance.

And it’s all in aid of the same cause – tomorrow’s BBC Children in Need.

The annual charity appeal has been running for 31 years, raising millions for disadvantaged youngsters.

And from Banbury to Wantage, the county will once again be alive with events.

Scott Leader, 22, who works at Didcot Wave in Newlands Avenue, will be having a full body wax for charity.

He said: “We have always done something for Children in Need because we have a lot of young children who come here, but this year we thought we would try something a little bit different.

“I’m a little apprehensive about it but once I get into it the waxing shouldn’t be too bad.”

In Kidlington, James Lewis will be taking part in a 12-hour spin bike session with his trainer Joe Wells.

The 29-year-old from Stanton Harcourt said: “This is the first time I have done something for Children in Need but I love spinning and I have always wanted to do something for charity.

“It is going to be painful come Saturday but I am just thinking about the charity and helping people to keep myself going.”

Woodstock’s firefighters will be taking to the streets to collect money for Children in Need for the 25th year.

They will also be taking a fire engine around the local pubs to gather funds.

Watch manager Nick Mason said: “People expect to see us now. It is quite a tradition. Quite a lot of the old firefighters come back to help us.

“It is good for morale and it is a great cause. Last year we raised just over £7,000.”

Elsewhere in Oxfordshire the Bridge Street branch of Specsavers in Banbury will be holding a gurning competition for its customers.

The Banbury branch of Leeds Building Society on High Street will also be holding a non-uniform day to raise money.

Wheatley Park School will be holding a fun run while King Alfred’s school in Wantage will be playing host to a number of stalls and activities.

On Banbury Road in Oxford, Barefoot Books Studio will be holding a day of fun involving African drumming and cookies and accountancy firm Shaw Gibbs will be holding an open day with stalls, a raffle and facepainting.

Bicester Community College will be playing host to a charity Zumba session from 6.30pm.