TOWNSFOLK have shown their caring side this week by donating money to this year's Comic Relief appeal, writes Matt Smith.

Students at St Augustine's High School said 'pants to poverty' with a disco at Hewell Road Social Club yesterday.

The St Augustine's High School pupils had to wear red for the party, organised by sixth form students.

Entertainment at the disco included up-and-coming band T-Junction.

Everyone who went had to pay £2, to Comic Relief.

Studley nursery children raised money for Comic Relief earlier this year, when they dressed as their favourite hero.

Yesterday, 15 children from the Footsteps playgroup took part in a supervised hour-long walk around the town from shop to shop asking people to give their donations.

Meanwhile, unidentified staff at the Alexandra Hospital kidnapped the builder's mascot and left a ransom note in its place.

The builders, who have been working on the hospital's roof, returned to work on Monday to find the ransom note - and they only had until Friday to find the cash needed for the mascot's release.

Parents, pupils and teachers at Inkberrow First School will be holding a bingo night in aid of Comic Relief on Friday.

The calling starts at 6.30pm to raise more money for the cause.

And 20 plucky Bridley Moor High School students will have their heads shaved in a bid to raise cash.

The pupils have been sponsored around £50 each and the shave-a-thon will be held at Mr Stopps The Barber in Evesham Road on Friday.