Red nose record breaker

Comic Relief '99 smashed previous totals collected during previous years' chuckle-a-thons by raising more than £16 million.

Young and old made sure Warrington went completely wacky to do our part in helping good causes both in Britain and in Africa.

The phone lines were definitely red-hot as businesses donated their call centres and staff to take pledges.

Workers kept on smiling throughout the six-hour session, answering thousands of calls and taking tens of thousands of pounds in donations.

From disco fever at Woolston High school's 70s bash to life-size red noses at Bridgewater High, last minute headshaves as last orders were called at Croft's General Elliott pub to 100,000 metre red nose rowing sessions at the Park Royal Hotel, everyone was game for a laugh.

Fancy dress was order of the day for many of the town's schools as pupils laughed through lessons to raise cash.

Organisers expect the event to raise a total of more than £20 million when all the cash is counted.

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