DELIGHTED children were greeted by the BBC’s famous Pudsey Bear who was visiting Copeland on a fundraising day.

Pupils, teachers and staff across the borough pulled on their best fancy dress and made donations as part of the annual Children in Need appeal.

The eye-patched bear started his tour at Frizington Community Primary School, before moving on to St Gregory’s and St Patrick’s School, Whitehaven, before finishing the day at Beckermet Primary.

In Frizington, children came to school dressed as somebody who was important to them. Pupils came as their grandparents and firefighters, to show support for the village’s threatened fire station. Children also decorated a giant Pudsey head with coins as donations and the school’s council was selling Children in Need merchandise. The school is collecting donations until Friday.

Year 5/6 teacher, Angela Airey, said: “The children were thrilled when Pudsey walked through the door. It was the icing on the cake for them, because it was a great day of fundraising.”

Belinda Artingstoll, a special features producer at BBC Radio Cumbria, who accompanied Pudsey on his journey around West Cumbria, said: “We have done this for the past few years and it’s always very well received.

“We didn’t do it last year because of our appeal for Jigsaw Childrens’ Hospice, but BBC Children in Need is our usual official charity each year.”

Since 1980, Children in Need has raised over £600 million to change the lives of disabled children and young people in the UK. This year it will be held on Friday, November 13.

Tell us about your Children in Need events on 01946 595136 or news.wn@whitehaven-news.co.uk.