IT was a hair-raising spectacle as Basingstoke's flagship Festival Place shopping complex was the centre of attention for Mad Hair Day.

While Mad Hair events took place all over the borough, the heart of the new-look town centre was the focus of the main event as people took the chance to get a wacky look for a good cause and be in with a chance of winning a prize.

In Porchester Square on Friday, shoppers were given weird and wonderful hair-dos throughout the event - sponsored by Wella and supported by Festival Place and The Gazette - while helping to raise money for St Michael's Hospice.

The mad hair styles were judged at the end of the day and the winners will each receive bags of Wella goodies. A raffle was also drawn, with prizes including a 28-inch colour television and a DVD player.

Kids were particularly keen to have their hair gelled, styled and sprayed with garish colours, while the adults were able to pick up hair-styling tips from Toni and Guy stylists.

The top salon is due to open a Basingstoke branch in February.

The Fashion Police were also out in force, on the look-out for people to undergo a complete clothes makeover worth up to £200 in return for a donation to the charity. GMTV style guru Patrick Swan was at the event to lend a styling hand and was delighted to give his support to St Michael's Hospice.

He said: "I think for anybody who is suffering from a terminal disease and for those who have lost loved ones, this charity creates a comforting and nurturing environment."

Students from Bournemouth University got up at 5am to take part in the event, having chosen St Michael's Hospice as one of the four charities to benefit from their Raising and Giving (RAG) scheme.

Business law student 19-year-old Ian Stevens is a personal friend of the family of former borough mayor Roger Morris and decided to raise money for the hospice following his death earlier this year.

Mr Morris, 65, lost his battle against a brain tumour and passed away at St Michael's in August.

Wella's PR co-ordination manager Vanessa Gardner said she was delighted that the day was such a success, particularly as the company has a long-standing relationship with St Michael's.

"There was something here for everyone," she said. "It was good fun and nice to see everyone making an effort and raising money for the hospice. It feels like Basingstoke has got behind us.

"We wanted to build on the work of last year's Bad Hair Day by making this year's Mad Hair Day even bigger and better."

St Michael's Hospice fundraiser Melanie Neale said: "It went phenomenally well. I was really pleased with the turnout. The atmosphere was positively electric with the people of Basingstoke really getting involved and having fun. I would like to say thank you to everyone who took part and made it all possible."