SCHOOLS, shops and businesses are entering into the spirit of Comic Relief by staging Red Nose Day events today.

Ox Close Primary School, in Spennymoor, rounds off a week of international studies with a fancy dress day.

Timothy Hackworth School, in Shildon, is turning heads with a Big Hair and Beyond event, while pupils at the neighbouring St John's School are opting for a bad taste theme.

There will be red faces all round at Peases West Primary, near Crook, where children will be decorating themselves with face paints and wearing red hair and clothes. There will be prizes for competitions throughout the day.

Some pupils are going to the Bishop Auckland Asda store to tell jokes and stories and sing songs.

The store is also hosting head shaves and leg waxes from noon, as well as entertainment from stilt walkers from Mint Management.

Parkside School pupils in Willington, will also be dressing up and raising cash through various events.

In Bishop Auckland, Julie Tyrie and Wendy Holmes, from Woodhosue Close Leisure Complex, are being sponsored to "stonk" workers in the town with cream cakes.