BUSINESSMEN raced against the clock to raise bail money after being banished behind bars at Oxford Castle.

A team of nine 'inmates' swapped their pristine suits for stripey prison garb for Helen & Douglas House's 'quirky' fundraiser.

They were escorted to the castle's historical prison in a police van on Thursday morning, and led to the crypt, where they were locked up with just a phone and laptop for company.

In order to get out before the day was up, they had to rally their contacts online and over the phone to raise £999 each.

The East Oxford hospice also allowed them to feature on a live Facebook video at 2pm, each issuing a desperate plea for cash.

Their efforts raised the criminally good sum of £10,314.44, and the winner was Mike Foster of Chapman Robinson & Moore accountants.

He was released on bail first and also earned a pair of engraved handcuffs.

Daren Elsey of Mayfield Press, who was also one of the prisoners, said: "I decided to get involved because of the all the good work Helen & Douglas House do to help local families with terminally ill children.

"I’ve been around the hospice and when you get to see all they do to help local families, you can’t help but get involved and help this amazing charity.

"This was a great, quirky fundraiser which has been great fun to be part of."

Helen & Douglas House has thanked Oxford Castle and Prison, Thames Valley Police for 'arresting' the competitors, and the 'amazing' teammates for their support.

It also thanked GAIL's Bakery for keeping the inmates sustained with croissants.

The competitors were:

Daren Elsey – Mayfield Press

Richard Rosser – B4 Magazine and Networking Group

Chris Atkins – Holiday Inn

Mike Foster – Chapman, Robinson & Moore Accountants in Oxford

Howard Feather – Nat West

Neil Holdstock – Oxford Round Table

Simon Bassett – Royds Withy King

Sean Curran - Forcepoint

Nick Wilkinson – Trustee of Helen & Douglas House