Shropshire opens its heart for Children In Need

Fundraisers hope to see the pounds pour in for the cause including staff at The Horse & Jockey pub in Northwood, near Wem, who are holding an auction tonight.

The fun starts at 7.30pm with lots including a hamper, body massage and holiday on a narrowboat. Last year the pub raised £2,000 for Children in Need.

Pudsey Bear made an appearance at Pontesbury Primary School and south Shropshire retailer Ludlow Food Centre has been cooking up a storm for charity by baking Pudsey Bear shortbreads to raise money.

A teenager from near Wem put his school's Children in Need appeal in gear by raising £500 with a coast-to-coast cycle ride.

Frank Edwards, aged 17, of Quina Brook, completed the 150 miles from St Bees in Cumbria to Sunderland in three days.

Frank, a year 13 student at Adams College, said: "It took a few days to recover."

Oswestry's Leisure Centre's duty manager Stewart Huxley, 48, was invited to take part in a Zumba class to help raise cash.

He was dressed in tights, leg warmers and a wig when he took part in the hour-long class with about 40 other people.

Oswestry School's prep school, Bellan House, yesterday held a cake sale and games stalls. And pupils and staff at Gobowen Primary School were wearing their pyjamas to school today and youngsters at Weston Rhyn playgroup made Pudsey Bear biscuits while youngsters at Newbridge Day Nursery were selling homemade cakes.

Three players from Welsh football champions The New Saints were due to have their chests waxed today. The sponsored wax is one of a whole host of activities taking place at The Venue.

Pre-schoolers have been invited to take part in a colouring competition while visitors will be asked to help staff complete the challenge to cycle the distance to London on a bike. A children's disco is due to be held at The Venue from 5pm to 7pm tonight. Admission costs £2 per child.

Youngsters at Castlefields Primary School, in Bridgnorth, will be busy covering a large Pudsey Bear in coins to raise money. And Claverley Primary School, near Bridgnorth, is taking part in a 'mad hair' day.

Wellington Swimming Club, in Telford, has asked its swimmers to attend today's session in their pyjamas while pupils at Coalbrookdale and Ironbridge C of E School will dress up in dots and spots on Monday.

It will be a busy night for staff at Telford-based Lyreco which is one of only a handful of call centres acting on behalf of BBC Children In Need. They have also lined up some fun including a prize draw, fancy dress competition and chocolate sale.

Meanwhile youngsters who play football with Little Kickers under-7s in Telford and Shrewsbury will also be joining in with the fun on Saturday in the hope of raising £500.

Players and coaches will be dressing up in pyjamas to play football from 9am to 1pm at Haygate Road, in Wellington, and at Sundorne Sports College, in Shrewsbury.

Youngsters at Woodlands Primary School in Madeley will pay £1 to dress up as woodland animals today while Priorslee Primary Academy pupils, in Telford, will be dressing up in spots. Wombridge Primary school have organised a Funny for Money event.

In Welshpool, staff at HSBC, in Broad Street, will be donning fancy dress to cycle 110 miles on an exercise bike.