Spotty Shropshire day of fun for Children in Need

Hundreds of people in Shropshire and Mid Wales were today joining in the dotty, spotty Children In Need fundraising party by donning fancy dress and taking part in strange stunts.

The main fundraiser – with a spotty theme this year – kicks off on BBC1 at 7.30pm with old favourite Sir Terry Wogan, along with Fearne Cotton and a host of stars including the cast of EastEnders performing Queen hits.

Locally, a host of weird and wonderful events were taking place across the county today as residents joined in to do their bit for the annual charity extravaganza.

Staff and youngsters at Ercall Day Nursery in Grainger Drive, Telford, were dressing up as rock stars and baking cakes and Pudsey biscuits to sell to parents to raise money for the cause. Manager Emma Morris was bracing herself to have wet sponges and custard pies thrown at her.

Feel the Beat line dancing instructors Alan and Barb Heighway were preparing to teach barn and line dance routines at the Maddocks Club in Oakengates at 8pm this evening with the £3.50 entrance fee and a Pudsey raffle set to boost the Children In Need coffers.

Staff at the Heavenly Quest charity shop in Limes Walk, Oakengates, were in fancy dress for the day and holding a tombola as their contribution while over in Newport a string of nurseries were hosting a range of fundraisers. Among them was the Tots at Tiggywingles nursery in Forton Road which has become a bakery for the day following the opening of the youngsters' own delicious cake stall.

Staff at Barclays Bank in High Street, Bridgnorth, were also collecting for Children In Need while Morville Primary School pupils were holding balloon races, running cake stalls and donning fancy dress.

Elsewhere, everything from haircuts and food to the chance to spend a day muck spreading will be among the lots up for grabs at a charity auction with a difference at the Horse and Jockey in Northwood, near Wem, at 7.30pm tonight.

A full day of fundraising was also taking place at Marches School in Oswestry. Youngsters paid to wear their own clothes and made cakes – but two went even further that that and spent the entire day tied together to raise money.

Youngsters at Bellan House independent primary school in Church Street, Oswestry, meanwhile were donning spotty clothes and kitchen staff were baking a giant Pudsey bear to raffle off.

Meanwhile, youngsters in Llangedwyn Primary School in Powys were dressing up as their favourite pop stars and attempting a "Money Cover" challenge to plaster their playground with 1ps and 2ps, all of which will go to Children In Need. The children also have the chance today to take part in a soft toy swap and for 20p they were being allowed to exchange toys with friends. At the same time, youngsters at dozens of schools across Powys were dressing up for the day while at the Clock Cafe in Welshpool Market Village there will be a children's cupcake competition tomorrow between 10am and 2pm.

* Were you staging a Children in Need event? Ring and let us know how much you raised on 01952 242424