TED'S Big Day Out swept across Wiltshire on Friday-raising lots of money for the Royal United Hospital in Bath.

Schools, nurseries and places of work all took part in a teddy related activity to raise desperately needed funds for a new premature baby unit.

The Forever Friends Appeal has been fundraising for the Space to Grow' campaign since July, in order to get together the £4.5 million needed to improve, and extend, the cramped ward.

In Chippenham, staff at Woolworth's brought in their teddies to show their support, and pupils at Sheldon School invited their cuddly toys into the classroom for the day.

Head of Year seven, Sandra Welham, said: "(ADD TO COME) Children in Calne got into the spirit of things over the weekend with a Dance-a-thon at the Mad Academy School of dance.

The Lodge Farm Nursery in Kington St Michael raised money with a sponsored walk on Monday.

Jo Hones, events and community officer at The Forever Friends Appeal, said: "It went really well this year. The thing about Ted's Big Day Out is that it really raises the profile of the NICU campaign.

"Companies that haven't registered before have decided it is something they would like to support.

"Lots of schools are interested too, quite a few of their kids probably were in the unit.

"The money can take a couple of months to come in but hopefully it will be more than last year which was about £25-30,000."

More pictures in this week's Gazette