Hundreds take part in Sport Relief

Although most chose to smash through the pain barrier by running one, three or six miles for the BBC charity event, others found alternative ways of breaking the pain barrier.

Joe Coyle, a trainee manager at Sainsbury's in Witney, opted to have a full body wax outside the store - with shoppers and staff taking turns to strip him of his hair.

The 32-year-old from Weston-on-the-Green said: "It was just as painful as I'd anticipated.

"I've got my eyebrows left and that's about it, but I'm not even sure I'm going to be allowed to keep them."

His efforts raised £360, while other staff were involved in raising money by walking or cycling to work.

Over at Sainsbury's in Kidlington, events ranging from face painting sessions to sponsored rowing were held.

In Oxford, pupils at the Iqra School in Littlemore quite literally got into the swing of things by holding a game of rounders - in fancy dress - with Spiderman and Batman among those to take part.

At Carterton Leisure Centre, fancy dress was the name of the game with scores of runners setting off from the centre for a fun run in crazy costumes.

At Tilsley Park in Abingdon, runners of all ages and abilities turned out for the White Horse Gallop.

Entrants could choose to run one, three or six miles with many putting their fitness to the test and going for the longest distance in the hope of raising more cash.

They were spurred on by Olympic 400m silver medallist Mark Richardson who was at the sports ground to support the event.

In Bicester, about 500 runners, joggers and walkers flocked to the Wyevale Garden Centre to do their bit for charity.

Events manager Preeti Djutti said all involved had a great time and the event had gone well, although it was too soon to know how much had been raised.

In total, Sport Relief raised about £20m nationwide with a mystery donor reported to have pledged £5.5m - the biggest ever in a British television fundraising event.