TWO hardware experts in Hadleigh were dressed in drag today as Suffolk joined the massive fundraising effort for Comic Relief.Trevor Clarke and Andrew Mowles were due to don their frocks and declare "I'm a lady" in scenes reminiscent of the Little Britain sketch filmed at Southwold for the hit TV series.

TWO hardware experts in Hadleigh were dressed in drag today as Suffolk joined the massive fundraising effort for Comic Relief.

Trevor Clarke and Andrew Mowles were due to don their frocks and declare "I'm a lady" in scenes reminiscent of the Little Britain sketch filmed at Southwold for the hit TV series.

The duo, who work in the plumbing department at Partridges, were inspired by the BBC comedy show which stars hopeless transvestite Emily Howard.

Pop super-star Robbie Williams has also dressed in fake breasts and a wig in a special Little Britain DVD launched to coincide with Red Nose Day.

Mr Clarke, 25, of Angel Street, Hadleigh, said: "I watch Little Britain quite a bit and we quote it at work.

"We will both be saying "I'm a lady" today.

"We have bought the Comic Relief DVD and have got ideas from there."

Both men will shatter their usual masculine image to make way for their female aliases Emily and Brittany.

Mr Mowles, 30, of Clopton Gardens, Hadleigh, will take his name from the Little Britain character while Mr Clarke is to be named after pop icon Brittany Spears.

Mr Clarke added: "We like to have a laugh department but I am a little bit nervous about it.

"Andrew has inherited his clothes from his mum and my girlfriend took me on a spending spree and held clothes up in front of me.

"This is the first time I have dressed as a woman and hopefully it will be the last."

Mr Clarke was planning to wear a blonde wig, a top and skirt for the challenge while his colleague was expecting to wear a dress, brown wig and stockings.

Elsewhere regulars at a Felixstowe pub are tonight taking part in the Comic Relief fundraising by holding a special auction.

The fun starts at the Dolphin in Beach Station Road at 7pm and more than 30 "lots" for the sale have been donated by businesses in Felixstowe and Ipswich.

Items on offer include two tickets for the West End production of Joseph and Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat coming to the Spa Pavilion in April, a signed Ipswich Town shirt, a signed photo of Eric Clapton, a weekend cruise and three months' gym membership.

Meanwhile millions of Red Noses destined for the faces of the fun-loving and fundraising public have arrived in Britain through Felixstowe port.

Officials at the container terminal have revealed that 29 40ft containers packed with boxes of noses were handled – but port staff were sworn to secrecy over the shipment.

"Unfortunately, we couldn't do any publicity because the organisers of the event like to keep the style of the new nose each time a closely-guarded secret until the launch day," said port corporate affairs officer Rachael Jackson.

"We did waive the charges on the cargo to help the charity."

Other events taking place in Suffolk are:

Staff at Sainsbury's in Upper Brook Street were taking part in a fancy dress trolley push to the Warren Heath store and holding a raffle.

Renaissance hair salon, Tacket Street, were collecting donations today and tomorrow

Children at Dive Line diving school in St John's Road are to due to be sitting on the bottom of a pool for an hour on Sunday.

Kids at Chilton Community Primary School in Stowmarket paid 50p to wear red clothes today.

Staff at Babergh District Council were enduring haircuts, eyebrow plucks and a beard shave at their offices. There will also be Tarot readings, a raffle and a bring and buy sale.