The BT Tower, one of the most recognisable features on London's skyline, has been turned scarlet to mark the start of this year's Comic Relief appeal.

Children's BBC presenter Angellica Bell and Channel 4 chat show host Graham Norton pushed a "red nose" plunger to light up the tower on Friday evening.

The stunt officially launched the 2003 Comic Relief appeal which will culminate in the Red Nose Day fundraising telethon on 14 March.

The famous 189-metre tower, situated in London's West End was bathed in red light from the top of nearby BBC Broadcasting House.

Norton said: "I've always fancied turning on the Christmas lights in Oxford Street but this beats that into a cocked hat.

"It's going to look brilliant and I've heard that my face is even going to be projected on to BT Tower in enormous proportions - so watch out London."

BT has supported the charity since the first Red Nose Day in 1988 offering call centre facilities and volunteers to help take cash pledges from BBC viewers.

'Big Hair'

Other events planned for this year's fundraising efforts include a celebrity version of the BBC's talent show Fame Academy.

The domed glasshouse at the National Botanic Garden of Wales has been transformed into the world's biggest red nose with red lights, thanks to CBBC.

This Welsh glasshouse has been turned into a giant red nose

And CBBC will be playing a major role in the event, staging some whacky stunts with the help of their young audience.

In Belfast a 45ft by 45ft jigsaw puzzle has been built by a load of children and filmed for television.

On Saturday night a group of London school kids will perform a version of this year's Comic Relief song - Spirit In The Sky - from the roof of Broadcasting House.

By way of accompaniment, the BT Tower will light up and flash with all kinds of odd things projected on it in time to the music - visible from across the capital.

The theme of Red Nose Day '03 is "the big hair-do" and each plastic nose has a face topped by some fluffy hair which can be combed into various styles.

Since Comic Relief began in 1985, 4,449 grants have been given to projects working with poor and disadvantaged people in the UK, totalling over �72.4m.

Another �141.7m has been given to projects in Africa.