THOUSANDS of schoolchildren and office workers across the Midlands joined in a day of pranks for Comic Relief.
Yesterday’s fun and frolics came before Lenny Henry and Claudia Winkleman led a night of TV entertainment to raise millions of pounds from across the nation for good causes.
Midlanders’ exploits were just as worthy with eight pupils from year six at Edgbaston High School for Girls doing a sponsored cycle ride around Edgbaston Reservoir, organised by ten-year-old Florence Harper.
Meanwhile, staff at Dudley Zoo planned a Mad Hair Day and wore fancy dress.
Zoo spokeswoman Jill Hitchman said: “Staff always do something for Red Nose Day and this year they are raising funds across the site which will be split between Comic Relief and conservation programmes for animals that originate from Africa.”
Funnyman Frank Skinner was given a hair-erasing punishment by Denise Van Outen as part of a forfeit.
The Black Country comedian plus fellow TV comics Al Murray and Jimmy Carr were left wincing as they were waxed by the West End star after they failed to win a challenge.
The trio – along with Stephen Fry – launched their own flavours of Walkers Crisps, with only the best-selling comic escaping the beauty treatment.
