GHOSTS and ghouls turned up the heat at the British Gas office in Southampton, raising more than £1,000 for local pensioners.

Dozens of staff at the St Mary's Road building spooked colleagues into sponsoring the witching hour in aid of Help the Aged.

The Hallowe'en theme even saw bosses thrown into stocks and pelted with wet sponges by devilish minions.

The ghastly goings-on were part of a British Gas fundraising drive aimed at helping the charity support OAPs through the winter.

Spokesman Alan Wood said: "We were very pleased with the response. There are around 900 staff at the Southampton office, and many were involved in some way."

The partnership with Help the Aged is designed to support elderly people who are in danger of dying of hypothermia.

British Gas offices have raised more than £80,000 nationwide since the scheme started in April, with all cash spent in their local areas.

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