WIGS, COLOURED hairspray and messy hair were the order of the day as young and old let their wild side out to raise money for a Dorchester hospice.

Schools and businesses across Dorset helped to raise money for Weldmar Hospicecare Trust yesterday with Wacky Hair for Hospicecare.

People sprayed their hair crazy colours, some wore wigs and some adopted the ‘bed head’ look and came in with messy hair.

At Toni & Guy hair salon in Dorchester staff dyed their hair and sprayed it blue and purple.

Ella Thompson, 16, said she crimped and backcombed her hair, dyed it blue and sprayed it blue with purple streaks.

She said: “We wanted to get involved to raise money for Weldmar hospice because we are so passionate about charity work and getting closer links to the community.”

Staff at the salon are hoping they will have raised at least a couple of hundred pounds for the charity.

At Chipmunks Day Nursery, which looks after children from babies to pre-school age, 15 children and staff get involved.

Nursery manager Carolyn Green clipped her long hair up to resemble a ‘bad toupee’ for the fun day.

She said that children came in with coloured streaks in their hair and staff wore wigs.

She said everyone really enjoyed themselves.

Mrs Green said: “It was quick and easy to do and it was great fun.

“Obviously the children are not 100 per cent sure why we are doing it as they are a bit young. But they really enjoyed it.”

She added: “We try to do as many charity events as we can.

“We like to help where we can and Joseph Weld is a local charity and we wanted to show our support.”

Event organiser for Weldmar Hospicecare Trust Matt Smith said the event had been great fun and they hoped to have raised more than £2,500.

Mr Smith, who sprayed his hair orange, black, grey and sparkly for the event, said: “It’s been great fun.

“We think we have had about 1,500 people taking part, which is great.”

He added: “It’s been brilliant.

“This year we have had a lot more schools and businesses involved.”

The charity will be holding an autumn bazaar today at King’s Point house, near Queen Mother Square in Poundbury from 10am to 3pm.

The additional event comes after the charity was inundated with donations when they put out a plea for help in the Echo after an arson attack destroyed stock for the hospice’s summer fete in September.