THE Vale and the Cotswolds went dotty for Children in Need this year as residents raised thousands of pounds for youngsters needing a helping hand.

Last Friday saw both Evesham and Pershore leisure centres join forces to raise money for the cause. The two centres took part in a variety of fund-raising activities, including dressing as superheroes and made a combined total of £944.48.

Pershore High School staff got into the fundraising spirit by donning onesies and raised about £1,500.

An impressive £2,500 was raised at Bengeworth First School where pupils took part in a number of activities to raise the money including eating Pudsey cupcakes, singing Teddy Bears Picnic and dancing the macarena.

Children at Inkberrow First School raised £111 for the charity by dressing in spotty clothes and taking part in treasure hunts for Pudsey.

In Pinvin the youngsters at the first school made just over £170 by holding a cake sale.

Children at Playhouse Pre School in Evesham spent Friday dressed in pyjamas or onesies.

They also had a cake sale and filled a Pudsey bear with small change managing to raise £57.37.

At the Three Counties Showground in Malvern, a new world record for the longest line of bunting was set as volunteers and BBC Hereford and Worcester teamed up. The fund-raising effort was helped out by bunting makers in Evesham, who contributed about 1.5km of bunting.

JellyPickleJam Vintage Tea Shop, which is based at the LIFE Emporium in Vine Mews, Evesham, collected much of the bunting and hosted a series of workshops to help people create the colourful decoration.

In addition to this, a Tea Party for Pudsey family event at the Emporium raised £80 and they made a further £80 through bunting activities.

Pyjamas were on display at Kingham Primary School after children dressed up to raise money for Children in Need.

The youngsters raised £225 for the charity with their efforts.

Winchcombe Farm Day Nursery, in Upper Tysoe, raised nearly £500 with sponsored nursery rhyme solos, a cake sale and fancy dress. Three-year-old Noah Cleaver raised £70 from sponsorship for taking part in the Yogabugs dance session.

Swell School cheered on Pudsey who passed through the village with the BBC Children in Need One Show rickshaw and through a non-uniform day raised £107.

Children from Blockley Primary School also raised £200 for the appeal on Friday.