BAD hair days, outrageous clothes and even a scattering of Noddy characters helped raise thousands of pounds as Acorn mania swept county schools.

It started at Trinity Primary School, Hereford, where a 'welcome to Toyland' sign hung before a room full of pupils and teachers dressed as Noddy. Pupil, Cameron Wood, even had the car.

They were celebrating Acorn Day, encouraged by teacher and stalwart Three Counties Appeal fundraiser Mary Schiavon, who helped found the day for schools across Herefordshire.

"It would be wonderful if this could be an annual event. A lot of schools joined in and some raised funds on other days," said Mary, who helped the school raise £500 for a new Acorns Children's Hospice.

Secondary schools and primary schools all took part. At Brilley it was the pupils' third fundraising event for the charity.

They came to school with hair all the colours of the rainbow and ditched their uniforms for equally outrageous clothes. Pupil George Watson won a bad hair day competition and Harriet Jones was judged the worst dressed. A slap up breakfast and a raffle brought the school's total to £110.50.