Staff at Cornish Mutual are celebrating after helping Comic Relief generate over £70 million, by hosting the only official Red Nose Day call centre in the South West.

The company fielded calls from across the UK on Friday, while a host of fun events were held at its Truro base, as staff were joined by volunteers from local businesses to handle calls.

The team worked tirelessly from 7pm to 1am on Saturday morning, with over 100 volunteers working in shifts throughout the night.

The organisation held an array of charity events, including an all-night cycle ride from Tiverton to Truro, and a lip sync battle competition.

Leading up to the event the insurer had been running a series of fundraising initiatives, including an exhausting five-hour Zumba fitness class on Truro's Lemon Quay, a twelve hour 'bowlathon' at Truro Bowl, a pub quiz in conjunction with Skinner's Brewery and a bucket collection at the Tesco store in Truro.

The insurer also ran a joke competition with local schoolchildren up to the age of 12, and encouraged students to get involved and enter their best gags.

Alan Goddard, managing director of Cornish Mutual, said: “Comic Relief is such a fantastic cause and we were extremely proud and excited to once again be the only official Red Nose Day call centre for Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset, with more than 100 people willingly giving up their time to support this fantastic event.

“It was such a busy evening with a tremendous atmosphere in our Truro office, and it was great to welcome so many volunteers who joined us on the phones, joined in fundraising activities and spurred on the call centre teams.

"Between midnight and 1am we were one of only two call centres in the UK taking calls, so I would like to thank everyone who gave up their time to make the evening happen, and all the local businesses that donated food and prizes.”