PEOPLE across Oxfordshire baked cakes, designed crockery and dressed in costume today to raise thousands of pounds for the BBC's Children in Need Appeal.

Fundraisers in the county embraced the spirit of the appeal by holding a series of wacky events.

Pupils, parents and staff at St Aloysius Primary School, in Woodstock Road, Oxford, baked Pudsey Bear cakes to raise more than £200.

School secretary Jo Clarke said: "There are 245 pupils at the school and lots of parents have joined in - we are completely surrounded by cakes!"

Firefighters from Bicester, Goring, Woodstock and Bampton were out in force collecting for the appeal.

Crews at all stations gave their own free time, and in many cases took the day off work, hoping to set new records for the amount raised.

BBC Radio Oxford presenters dished up more than £1,000 by designing their own plates and auctioning them on the airwaves.

Early morning presenter Joel Hammer stole the show after designing an Oxford United plate, which raised £500.

The 30-year-old said: "I'm a real football fan so I thought I would try an Oxford United design and it seems to have gone down really well.

"All the first team players are going to sign it as well."

Breakfast presenter Shabina's Aktar's design raised £250, while Jo Thoenes's plate raised £200.

A mug designed by Tim Bearder, the presenter of The Download show, attracted £14, while plates designed by Bill Heine and Danny Cox raised £50 each.

Oxford singer Juliana Meyer also did her bit by taking part in a gala performance at the Ipswich Regent alongside Steve Harley from Cockney Rebel and author Louis de Bernieres.

Miss Meyer, 24, was among a number of performers taking part in the show, which was televised and shown as part of the BBC's Children in Need coverage last night.

The event raised more than £10,000.

Former St John's College student Miss Meyer describes her work as acoustic, jazzy pop and has played numerous venues throughout Oxford, including the former Zodiac, the Jericho Tavern and the Purple Turtle.

Sixth formers from King Alfred's Community and Sports College in Wantage hit the streets on an early-morning money raising mission.

About 50 students, dressed up as superheroes, fairies and some in their pyjamas, armed themselves with buckets to collect cash.

Fitness instructors at the Ferry Sports Centre in Summertown screamed in pain as their legs were waxed to raise cash.

Pierre Lefort, 33, from Witney, said: "It got worse and worse as our so-called friends decided to pull the strips off themselves very slowly."

Staff at the centre also held a fancy dress body pump class, grew moustaches and took on fitness challenges to raise cash.

Traders in Oxford's Clarendon Centre dressed as cowboys and held a raffle to persuade shoppers to donate.

Ann Summers store manager Helen Alderson said: "It's one of the most fun charity events."

Toddlers and children attending Jo Jingles music and movement classes in the county held a sponsored singalong.

Claire Barratt, of Jo Jingles in Oxford and Abingdon, said: "We are always thrilled to be involved with Children in Need, but this year we wanted to do more and really get the nation singing."

Professional golfer Dean Davis, 31 from Didcot, performed trick shots while dressed as Pudsey Bear at a golf show at Birmingham National Exhibition Centre.

Bure Park Primary School in Bicester held a fundraising night with a raffle, lucky dip and craft stalls.

Staff at Filkins Nursery near Carterton dressed up and held a coffee morning earlier this week, raising more than £60.

Children at Northbourne Primary School in Didcot held a treasure hunt and got to take charge of the school during a special fundraising event.