PUDSEY Bear and his legion of helpers are out in force today as Suffolk helps raise millions for Children in NeedBaked bean baths, slave auctions and a match the bum competition will be among the events going on around the county, as it attempts to bring in as much money as possible.

PUDSEY Bear and his legion of helpers are out in force today as Suffolk helps raise millions for Children in Need

Baked bean baths, slave auctions and a match the bum competition will be among the events going on around the county, as it attempts to bring in as much money as possible.

In Ipswich belly dancers shimmied and shook at BBC Radio Suffolk to kick off the day.

Meanwhile children were taking over the school at Downing Primary by paying 50p to teach a class or be headteacher.

St Matthew's primary in Portman Road was holding a non-uniform day, plus cake stalls. Two of the support staff challenged the children to raise £200 in sponsorship, and if the target was reached they had promised to come to school dressed as young St Matthew's male pupils.

Springfield Infants School, in Bramford Road, were due to be holding a Teddy Bears' Picnic.

At Academy Childcare, Next Generation Gym, Ransomes Europark, a pancake breakfast and worst outfit day was due to keep the money rolling in.

Over at Ravenswood Primary School youngsters were having a bring a teddy to school day with Pudsey biscuits due to be on sale.

At Ravenswood's Noah's Ark Pre-school at least one volunteer was scheduled to sample the delights of a paddling pool of cold baked beans.

Northgate High School pupil Francesca Ryan was due to be handcuffing herself to her friend while a match the bums to the names competition was also scheduled.

Meanwhile St Joseph's College infant and nursery department they planned to hold a Party for Pudsey with everyone due to bedecked in dazzling party wear. A cookie bake and sale, a Pudsey concert and art auction were also on the agenda.

At Wattisham Airfield an army physical training instructor from 7 Air Assault Battalion, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers will be taking part in a 12-hour non-stop indoor rowing challenge along with a friend and former Army physical training instructor. They were due to spend the 12 hours pedalling on a cycling machine.

Hadleigh Women's Institute were holding a coffee morning and sale of gifts, cakes and novelties at the United Reformed Church community room.

Elsewhere in the county other imaginative stunts were planned to squeeze every last charitable penny out of sponsors and contributors.

Among the events will be a stripey days for workers, a non-school uniform day and even a Trampoline-athon.

And finally Suffolk Doctors on Call were even odd jobbing at their three surgeries across Suffolk

The BBC Children in Need donation line is 0845 733 2233 and an online donation service is also available at www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey

BBC Radio Suffolk is also holding and on line auction at www.bbc.co.uk/suffolk/cin/auction/index.shtml>