RAISING money with a smile - thousands of Red Nose day events took place on Friday.

Communities got into the spirit by hosting events and donning costumes.

Colchester celebrated the 25th anniversary of the annual fundraiser which supports causes in UK and Africa.

More extreme fundraisers included nurse Joy Harrison, from Ardleigh surgery, raised cash by shaving her head.

Send pictures of your fundraisers to gazette.people@nqe.com