It will be Bed Nose Day not Red Nose Day at The News in Portsmouth later this week when staff take part in a 24-hour sleepover outside the newspaper's offices.

Staff have volunteered to take part in a Big Red Lie-in to raise money for Comic Relief, consisting of 48 consecutive half-hour shifts.

Dressed in pyjamas, around 100 people will take it in turns to sleep in a double bed on the lawn outside The News Centre in Hilsea from 5pm tomorrow until 5pm on Friday.

Among those taking part will be organiser and advertisement director Peter Timperley.

He has volunteered to do shifts between 3.30am and 4am, and 4.30am and 5am, and because he usually sleeps nude he has had to buy a pair of pyjamas especially for the occassion.

He said: "We wanted to do something to highlight Comic Relief and we couldn't think of anything better!

"It should be a riot, with lots of booze and food, and at about 4.30pm on the Friday we are going to try and get as many people in the bed as possible."

The News is hoping to raise several hundred pounds from the stunt, and has collection buckets in place in all of its branch offices.

Staff are also raising money through internal sponsorship and a mystery prize will be awarded to the person who raises the most money.

Readers are being urged to go along and give the brave volunteers their support, and the whole event will also be screened live on the newspaper's webcam at www.portsmouthtoday.co.uk.

Peter said: "It will be interesting to see if we make the whole 24 hours - I'm determined to do it."