The silly season continued in Swindon over the weekend as local people dressed up, partied and dug deep into their pockets for BBC Children In Need.

More than £12 million has so far been raised across the country for the charity, of which at least a record breaking £150,000 has come from Wiltshire. Companies, clubs, pubs, shops and individuals all got in on the act with one aim of collecting as much as possible for the appeal.

At Swindon Snooker Club in Fleet Street, 20 players showed their commitment to the cause by staging a 24 hour snooker marathon which started at 10pm on Friday and ended at 10pm on Saturday.

Organised by semi-professional snooker player Richard Clark, the event hoped to raise more than £1,000 for Children In Need. For every break over 100 the 20-year-old from Shaw scored, the club gave him £1 and every player who lost to him had to donate £3 to the charity.

He said: "This is my third snooker marathon but it doesn't get any easier. We are all exhausted but it has been worth it. I love playing and I thought this would be a good way to combine something I enjoy with raising money for such a good cause."

Stamina was also required by members of the Royal British Legion Corps of Drums who staged a march through Swindon to the Bakers Arms before performing to regulars outside the pub on Saturday afternoon.

They were then invited inside for refreshments by landlady Kay Gould who had organised a fun day for Children In Need.

The Royal Oak at Bishopstone also held an auction, with customers bidding for pledges ranging from a day touring the Sky studios with DJ Bruno Brooks and a two week holiday at a Spanish villa to an osteopath session and a day at Lords.

More than £1,000 was raised by the event on Friday night and the proceeds of a quiz evening being held tonight will also go to the charity.

At Swindon's McArthur Glen Designer Outlet Village, staff were also going potty for Pudsey Bear.