EAST Lancashire was painted red yesterday as hundreds of events helped Comic Relief.

This year's theme of the big hairdo was expressed in weird and wonderful ways as twists, cones, pigtails and red hair became the norm in schools and businesses.

A lunchtime service at Blackburn Cathedral was carried out in style by Canon Peter Ballard, who kept his face straight face while taking the service with a red nose attached to his face.

Outside Blackburn buskers Dave and Yvonne Scott got a popular reception roaming the streets in full costume belting out hit songs from the past 20 years and prompting passers by to hand over their spare change.

At Audley Infant School, Blackburn, the comic celebrations also had a serious side as yesterday also marked the tenth anniversary of a fire which destroyed the building.

A fun day was held to raise cash and children also celebrated major improvements.

In Darwen, leisure centre manager Michael Lyons went red with pain as he had his legs.

And children at Brookside primary school, Clitheroe, took part in one of the more unusual activities of the day, by making special Comic Relief pets, carved out of fruit and vegetables, which they took to lessons on leads.

The children also wore 'big' hairstyles and got to watch three teachers have their hair dyed.

Younsters at St Wulstan's Scout and Beaver groups, Great Harwood, got their own back on their pack leaders as they donated money to colour leaders Pat Whitehead's and Sally Westwell's hair.

Regulars at the Whitakers Arms, Burnley Road, Accrington, aslo joined in the fun.