Staff and children at the Riverside Children's Centre, on Garrick Street, South Shields, dressed up in spots for the day and enjoyed spotty cakes and biscuits.

Andrea Moore from the centre said: "We thought dressing up in spots would be a fun idea. We're all having a great time."

Circus act Razzmatazz was on hand to perform for children at Westoe Crown Primary School.

They raised £1,500 with raffles and Pudsey crispy cakes among the day's activities.

Teacher Carolyn Trotter, said: "The circus act has been brilliant. and the parents of the children have been very generous in donating prizes for the raffle."

Staff and toddlers at Primrose Nursery, Jarrow, had a Pudsey Bear activities day, including the children coming to nursery in Pudsey outfits.

Pupils at Jarrow School held an auction which was open to members of the public, with a bottle of bubbly up for grabs.

More than £600 was raised last year, and Susan Green, from the school, said: "The children are split into groups and have to compete with each other to raise as much money as possible."

Staff and students at South Tyneside College, South Shields, donned pyjamas and fancy dress to raise money. There was also a sponsored fancy dress walk by the Health and Early Years department from the Hebburn campus to the South Tyneside campus, raising £690.

Pupils at Monkton Infant School, South Shields, paid a £1 donation to come to school in their pyjamas and also held a special assembly.

Deputy headteacher, Clare Askwith, said: "We thought the idea of having an assembly, explaining about children who are less fortunate than others, was a fantastic way for the children to understand why it's important to raise money for a cause like Children In Need."

Toddlers at Westoe Village Kindergarten, in St George's Avenue, South Shields, also came to nursery in their pyjamas and held a teddy bears picnic, raising £25.

Youngsters who are not in employment, education or training (NEET), teamed up with BT to raise money by washing cars, and South Tyneside Mayor Coun John Anglin's car was first in the queue at South Shields Town Hall.

More than £180 was raised, which was added to cash from other activities throughout the week.

Angela Kelly, BT's Communication Manager for South Tyneside, said: "We have had a week of fund raising events and are pleased with how successful it's been."

The BBC's annual telethon, has so far raised £20.3m for charity after a fun-filled night. EastEnders, Strictly Come Dancing and Dragon's Den stars appeared on the seven-hour show, hosted by Alesha Dixon, Sir Terry Wogan and Tess Daly.

Peter Kay joined dozens of children's TV characters to launch the official single.

The money raised was just short of the total at the same point last year. That event went on to raise a record £38m.

For more Children in Need photographs, see Monday's Gazette.