Pudsey Bear took time out of his busy Children in Need schedule to visit an Ipswich school this week.

The BBC mascot made an appearance at Sprites Primary School yesterday ahead of tomorrow’s celebrity-filled appeal show.

Learning support assistant at the school, Susan Waghorn, said the pupils were “ecstatic” to see the big yellow bear.

“They were so excited and have been excited all week,” Mrs Waghorn added. “We’ve never had him before so it was great.”

The schoolchildren are this year taking part in a t-shirt design competition for BBC Children in Need.

The designs will be judged by headteacher Shaun Valentine and the winner will have their creation printed on a t-shirt.

The school also held an after-school fundraising event with a nail bar, tattoo parlour and a cake and biscuit sale.

Mrs Waghorn said she was confident the school would beat last year’s fundraising total of £450.

Tomorrow the pupils will go to school in superhero fancy dress and will each donate £1 for the charity campaign.

If you are taking part in a fundraising activity, let us know at newsroom@archant.co.uk