ALTON-based company SWR, the largest independent outsourced waste management company in the UK, took the phrase “going green” literally to raise funds for the annual BBC Children In Need appeal.

The busy customer services department celebrated Hallowe’en a day early last Friday and raised £278 by dressing up for the coveted prize of most creative outfit, baked some cakes for a themed raffle, competed for incentives, and generally found excuses to donate money to the worthy cause.

An inflatable pumpkin found it a challenge to sit at her desk , a selection of vampires and zombies still managed to give great service solutions to customers, and some costumes were simply hard to describe on a day of ghoulish fun.

A spokesman said the company was looking forward to sending off a cheque in time for Children in Need day next Friday, November 13.