STAFF at a Basingstoke firm are going bananas as they throw their support behind the town's only hospice.

Banana firm Fyffes and St Michael's Hospice are celebrating the beginning of the summer sunshine with the launch of "Go Yellow" month.

"Go Yellow" is the charity's latest fundraising event and aims to encourage people to wear yellow at work, bathe in custard, grow sunflowers or hold yellow-themed parties to raise money for the hospice.

All the money raised from Basingstoke's "Go Yellow" events will go towards the running costs of the charity.

The first yellow-themed party was held at Fyffes site in Houndmills Road - where Freddie Fyffe, the company's mascot, was the special guest.

Fyffes manger Paul Barrett said: "We've supported 'Go Yellow' for a number of years now because we like to get involved with local organisations which we feel we can benefit, as well as national charities.

"We know that our support will be appreciated and it's also nice for Fyffes to be seen helping out in the community. Members of staff here at Fyffes will be wearing yellow throughout the month to help St Michael's Hospice and I would recommend other companies to get involved."

For more information about "Go Yellow", contact the fundraising office at St Michael's on 01256 818000.