A FRANTIC day of fund-raising by enthusiastic volunteers throughout Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale helped to raise cash for Children in Need.

In the early hours of this morning the £394,485 raised across the North West was significantly down on last year's corresponding figure of £690,217 but organisers were hoping that the money still rolling in would eventually beat that amount.

Nationally it was a different picture as the £12,895,853 counted last night, was £600,000 up on last year.

Traffic in Rawtenstall was brought to a standstill by Rossendale Round Table who insisted that motorists in Tup Bridge coughed up their change. At the Student Centre in Town House Special School in Nelson chocolate Pudsey Bears were sold, raising £155.50. Students were presented with certificates by mother and son Liz and David Waters. David is a former pupil at the school.

At ASDA in Princess Way, Burnley, managers Graham Price and Terry Borszcz submerged themselves in a bath of custard. Stuart Caddy, leader of Burnley Council, held a face-painting session and store workers pushed trolleys all the way to the Accrington store, filling buckets with money on the way.

The managers of Boots in St James Street, Burnley, had their legs waxed and staff paid for the privilege of working in fancy dress.

Children at Heasandford Primary in Queen Victoria Road, Burnley took their favourite teddy bears to school and donated £1 to the charity.

A charity triathlon at the Oaks Spa in the Oaks Hotel in Colne Road,. organised by Gillian Henderson, saw 12 brave souls run three miles, cycle ten and swim 400 metres.