Wiltshire embraced the spirit of Children in Need, with a host of events to help the BBC appeal beat its previous record and raise £31m.

Westbury mayor David Windess had his legs waxed at Beauty Retreat in Maristow Street on Saturday, with staff collecting donations from customers and passers-by.

Cllr Windess said: “I was expecting it to hurt a lot, but it was fine. We managed to raise £111 and I think the most touching thing was that a little girl donated her pocket money.

“Everyone was saying how much it would hurt and I was expecting to be in agony. The only problem is that my legs are quite cold now, so I might need knee-length socks.”

Beauty Retreat owner Sue King, who came up with the idea, said: “David didn’t even bat an eyelid when we did the waxing.”

Trowbridge Hot Chilli Triathlon Club put in a mighty effort by taking on a triple ironman distance challenge over 24 hours.

Volunteers started swimming at Trowbridge Pool at noon on Friday, before moving to Tesco Extra to cover the rest of the distance on exercise bikes and treadmills.

The team reached its target distance before the 24 hours was up and raised more than £3,500, with Pudsey bear doing his bit on the last five minutes of the run.

Head coach Richard Smith said: “The Triple Ironman Challenge was a resounding success and the club will continue to raise funds over the coming weeks, to push towards our £5,000 target.

“We want to thank the deputy mayor of Trowbridge, DC Leisure, Precor, Tesco Trowbridge, Travis Perkins Trowbridge and athlete Holly Rush for their generous support and sponsorship.”

Melksham Oak Community School students raised more than £1,400 with a non-uniform day and cake sale last Friday.

Assistant headteacher Aidan Blowers said: “The Year 8s, with a lot of support from home I imagine, brought in a huge array of cakes to sell at break and lunch.

“They did this in house groups, as they competed to see who could raise the most money for Children in Need. It was a superb effort.”

Other non-uniform days took place at St Laurence School in Bradford on Avon and Warminster School, where pupils turned up in pyjamas or onesies and arranged competitions at lunchtime.

Tumble Tots classes at Paxcroft Community Centre in Hilperton were transformed into a teddy bear adventure, while the Longs Arms in Yarnbrook welcomed creepy-crawly expert Chris Freeman to the pub.

Mr Freeman, of Tropical Discovery, brought two snakes, a tarantula and a scorpion, while staff dressed as Wally from Where’s Wally, raising £320.

Clarendon Academy raised £300 after pupils at the Trowbridge school got to throw wet sponges and custard pies at teachers, left.

Money also came from a staff swim, football, cakes and fancy dress.

Helen Smith, director of student progress, said: “I was a little afraid about just how wet we were going to get. However, the sun was shining and the students were clearly having such fun we didn’t even notice.”