FITNESS fanatics were today donning their best red pants in Southampton for the launch of Comic Relief's Red Nose Day 2001.

The charity's Say Pants to Poverty campaign received a boost during an aerobic workout by members of the Bargate shopping centre's Fit Stop health club.

They were collecting cash from passing shoppers on the High Street and sporting the Comic Relief whoopee nose, going on sale across the UK from today.

Bosses at the centre also got into the spirit of the occasion by unfurling a massive banner for the charity at the front entrance.