PEOPLE in Oxfordshire are gearing up to be gunged and waxed to raise money for the BBC Children in Need Appeal.

Fundraising has already started in some parts of the county, with more events planned for tomorrow. The BBC's annual charity appeal raises millions of pounds each year for children's charities.

Those taking part in fundraising activities in Oxfordshire include youngsters at Turbo Ted's Nursery in Roger Dudman Way, Oxford, who gunged staff with custard pies on Tuesday.

Staff at the nursery also organised a tombola, cake stalls, face painting and a raffle.

Nursery manager Cathy Jones, who was gunged along with deputy manager Nikki Tritton, said they raised £151.

She added: "It was great fun. The children were spraying cream over us - it was very sticky. The appeal helps the children think about other people."

Toddlers and children attending Jo Jingles music and movement classes in the county have also been raising money with a sponsored singalong.

Claire Barratt, of Jo Jingles in Oxford and Abingdon, said: "We are always thrilled to be involved with Children in Need, but this year we want to do more and really get the nation singing."

Singalong classes were held in Abingdon on Monday and Oxford yesterday. A third is being held at Kennington Methodist Church Hall at 10am today.

Fitness instructors at Oxford's Ferry Sports Centre and Temple Cowley Pool will be wearing fancy dress and have been growing moustaches. Danny Kavanagh and Pierre Lefort, who work at Ferry Sports Centre, Summertown, are set to have their legs waxed.

Professional golfer Dean Davis, 31, from Didcot, is performing trick shots while dressed as Pudsey Bear at a golf show at Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre this weekend.

He said: "I hit balls with wobbly golf clubs and a hammer. I hit balls off people's heads, and while blindfolded. My new trick shot is hitting balls off a trampoline."

The 2007 BBC Children in Need show is tomorrow night on BBC1, featuring a host of stars.

For a free fundraising pack call 0845 607 3333 or go to the website www.bbc.co.uk/Pudsey