Customers at a Norwich bank found their local Barclays branch looking very different last week, as they stepped into Wonderland.

Last Thursday staff at the Red Lion Street Barclays got themselves, and their branch, dressed up in the theme of a Mad Hatter's tea party, from Alice in Wonderland.

The day was held to raise funds for Norfolk bereaved children's charity, Nelson's Journey.

Bucket collections, cake stalls and raffles all added to the fun and helped to raise around �400 for the charity.

Organised by cashiers Katie Bell and Daniel Willis, the day proved a nice change from the ordinary for staff and customers.

Katie, 33 and from Cringleford, said: 'It went really well. It was a busy day because it was the end of the tax year so we raised roughly �400, which will be doubled by Barclays' Pound For Pound scheme so it will be �800.

'That's a lot of money so hopefully the charity will be happy with that.'

The event was made possible by one of the branch managers, Joanne Dowson, who got AGM Wholesale Ltd, based on Sweet Briar Industrial Estate, to decorate the bank appropriately.

Katie added: 'All the scenery was really nice. I was dressed as Alice for the day, which felt a bit silly. But the customers were really positive about it so it was a really fun day.

'The customers enjoyed it and it's great to support a local charity like Nelson's Journey.'

The charity, based in Thorpe St Andrew, run services which help bereaved children to; increase self esteem, learn about causes of death and the events surrounding the funeral, to express and understand emotions and to have opportunities to remember the person who has died.

Sophie Berry, funding officer at Nelson's Journey, said: 'We are delighted that this branch of Barclays are supporting us in this way, a Mad Hatter's tea party is a perfect example of a fun way to raise money for our charity.'

Are you holding a fundraising event? Contact reporter David Freezer on 01603 772418 or david.freezer@archant.co.uk