Pudsey made his return on Friday as schools and businesses took out the famous yellow bear and raised money for children and young people in the UK.

Children in Need events were taking place across south Norfolk to raise money for the charity.

Pupils were spotted at Harleston Primary School raising money for Children in Need on Friday. They wore spotty clothing for the day and raised an astonishing �582.36, which includes money raised through donations, cake sales and an impromptu sponsored run staged at lunchtime by some of the children.

The youngsters also enjoyed dancing dodgeball and prizes were awarded for the best dressed in each class.

Headteacher Roger Walsh said: 'It's a brilliant amount – the most we've ever raised for Children in Need – and reflects the excellent effort put in by Mr Anstiss and the school council, who organised it.'

Browick Road Infant School in Wymondham went dotty over Pudsey Bear for Children in Need.

Children and staff dressed in spots and the school council sold gingerbread Pudsey Bears. These had been made by the parents' Munch Bunch group with Year 2 children deftly adding the spots. Altogether the school raised �271.78 for Children in Need.

A group of Year 9 girls at Diss High School spent Friday 'tied' to a friend to raise money for Children in Need. The students also sold raffle tickets for a homemade cake and organised a cake sale for all students at break time.

The sixth formers at Attleborough High School created a giant outline of Pudsey bear in the playground area and students from the whole school were asked to fill it with coins for Children in Need to raise cash for the charity.

Bunwell Primary School was full of teddies and other soft toys to mark Children in Need. The proceeds from the weekly cake raffle raised over �82 for the charity, and in the afternoon pupils were treated to short plays performed by Year 5 and 6 entitled Pudsey is Missing.

Children at the Stepping Stones Pre-School in Wymondham saved their pennies and pounds for Pudsey in the week leading up to Children in Need. They also celebrated Children in Need by partaking in a variety of activities, including decorating their own special spotty cakes, creating Pudsey hats, masks and enjoyed having their faces painted, of course, in an array of rainbow coloured spots.

The money raised by the Pre-School by the end of the week of collections was �19.77.

Children at Brockdish Primary School came in non school uniform to raise money for the Children in Need appeal. As a role reversal, staff attended school wearing school uniform.