Witney businesses came together to help a team of trainee managers complete an Anneka Rice style challenge to give a charity's offices a make-over in just 24 hours.

Sixteen members of Unilever staff took on the challenge to turn an unwelcoming bare office in Witney High Street into a relaxed, clean place for visitors and workers to use.

The building is home to the charity Pact, Parents and Children Together, which offers support and advice to families and to teenagers aged 16-19.

The young managers had come from Unilever offices and factories around the country to take part in the team building exercise.

While half the group got stuck into giving the place a much needed lick of paint, the others set about persuading local businesses to help out with tools, products or labour.

And by the time they had completed the challenge, new carpets had been laid, wooden floors varnished, new furniture fitted, burglar alarms installed and the walls were looking clean enough to eat your dinner off.

Trainee manager Fran Nieuwenhuis said: "Nearly everyone we have spoken to has been really helpful. I think it is because it is such a great charity and is situated right in the middle of the town. People have been really generous with their time - it has been unbelievable."

The team was given £1,000 to complete the project.

But with so many Witney businesses giving up their time and offering items for nothing, barely any of the money had to be used. Instead, it will be donated to the charity.

Ms Nieuwenhuis added: "It has been fantastic in terms of bringing people together and working as a team."

Pact housing and community director Barry Wildsmith said: "We've have been working out of this office for the last couple of years.

"What this project has done is to turn it into a place which is much more attractive for people to come into.

"Hopefully more people will use it now - and we want to let people know that we are here to help people."

Mum Marie St Clair, 20, takes her two children to the centre on Tuesday afternoons and Thursday mornings for a drop-in creche.

She said: "The improved look will make it a lot better for everybody. It is making it much safer "It was a bit old and not a very safe place to go in with your children before."