SMALL change can make a big difference - that's the message for this year's Red Nose Day which promises to be bigger and better than ever.

There are dozens of local events taking place around the district and this year's theme for the fun-packed day is a call for everyone to hand over their small change to make a big difference.

It is estimated that there are £730 million worth of small change coins under 50p in circulation in the UK and Red Nose organisers want everyone to look behind their sofas and dig into their pockets to put their coppers to good use.

Locally the fund-raising ranges from the fun to the bizarre! At Lancaster's Marketgate shopping centre in the heart of the city all the shops are taking part, wearing red noses and fancy dress.

Sonic the Hedgehog will be posing for pictures with children and one hairbrained volunteer will be having his head clean shaven.

However, the silliness does not stop there! A brave market assistant has agreed to sit for four hours in bath of live, wriggling worms at the foot of the market escalator. The tickly wrigglers are being provided by a local fishing bait suppliers and to see the worms being tipped over Tony as he sits in just his trunks, just turn up at the market for 10am.

"We want people to come a long and have fun,' said Marketgate Centre manager, Margaret Godding.

"Everyone is getting into the spirit of red nose day and by asking people to donate their loose change we will try and raise as much as we can."

The last Red Nose Day two years ago raised £22 million, which supported causes in Africa and the UK. The infamous Red Nose TV show on Friday evening is expected to sow the seeds of much mirth and hilarity. Highlights include a University Challenge with Cambridge University versus the cast of Coronation Street, a special Men Behaving Badly and late live comedy with Steve Coogan and the Spice Girls.

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