A DAY of pyjama wearing in Dursley has boosted the support and donations for a national charity.

Meningitis UK ambassadors, Aurelie Brunet-Lua and Gemma Allen, have seen their third annual pyjama day in the town become a roaring success with a growing number of businesses joining in.

Staff from Dursley Swimming Pool, Berry Blue Cafe and hairdressers from SeSe's, A Cut Above the Rest and Techniques all helped last Friday by working in their PJs and fundraising.

Rednock School students and workers at Treetops and Co-op nursery also did their bit by wearing their night wear for the day to raise the profile of the charity's work.

Employees at Sainsbury's wore their night attire for the day and met with the two ambassadors as well as Stroud MP Neil Carmichael, complete with his own sleeping gown.

"I think it’s a really inspiring thing to do and the work people do to deal with meningitis and the consequences of meningitis is really extraordinarily worthwhile," he said.

"Obviously, if there’s a vaccine that can work it should be promoted."

One of the main pushes for the charity has been to see the government introduce a new vaccine for meningitis B into the national vaccine programme and Mrs Brunet-Lua believes the town’s efforts this year has raised almost £1,000 so far.

The two Dursley mums themselves had a busy day, completing aqua zumba in their sleeping gear and setting off to the pubs in the evening to raise even further funds for the cause.

"It was a brilliant day," said Mrs Brunet-Lua. "Obviously a big, massive thank you must go to all the businesses that lent their support on the day.

"It was brilliant as we are looking for support to get the new vaccine in the programme as soon as possible."

Both Mrs Brunet-Lua and Ms Allen campaign for the group because of their close calls with the devastating disease.

"This is an important charity close to both Aurelie and myself as we have both seen our children nearly die from this horrible illness," said Ms Allen.

"We all had fun doing the day and hope next year even more shops, salons and schools will get involved."