Thousands of pounds have been raised throughout the Bradford area to help change the lives of disadvantaged children and young people in the UK.

From sponsored weight losses to blind haircuts, people across Bradford got into the fundraising spirit for this year's Children In Need.

Inspired by this year's change to Pudsey Bear, Daisy Chain Nursery, in Person Lane, decided to hold a competition to design new bandages for the Children In Need mascot.

Sarah Evans, of the nursery, said more than £250 had been raised by yesterday afternoon, but she expected that figure to continue to rise.

She said: "We have also done a guess the staff' competition from baby pictures, there is going to be a cake stall and both children and staff came today in their pyjamas. It has gone really well - all the kids have really enjoyed themselves."

At Crossley Hall Primary School money was raised from donations as each child planted a tree in conjunction with Bradford Environmental Education Service and Groundwork.

School inclusion officer Alan Scholes said: "Each child planted a tree so they will have an outdoor classroom and a woodland area. The children loved it and in years to come they will be able to pick out which tree they planted.

"Loads of other things have also been going on in school and we are hoping to raise about £300."

Meanwhile staff at printer Multigraphics on the Euroway Trading Estate, Bradford, have been raising money by going on a diet. Mark Watkin, 46, Derek Johnson, 47, and Matthew Kemp, 36, lost a combined total of more than two stone.

Mr Kemp said: "So far we have got just more than £150 but we hope that figure will carry on going up over the weekend."

Carlisle Business Centre donated its hall free of charge to allow a sponsored haircut with a difference to take place.

Blind children in Bradford had the chance to cut the hair of 35 volunteers at the event, organised by Rehabilitation Officer Elaine Pinkney.

Both the volunteers and the hairdressers' gathered sponsors and were hoping to raise more than £1,000 - two children raised £300 each alone.

Shoppers in Bradford city centre may have been surprised to see a couple of clowns on unicycles. The two teenage sisters, Shannon and Charlotte Smith, were juggling and collecting money in Tyrrel Street as part of their sponsored ride from Farnley to Leeds city centre.

But their mother, Linda, said their efforts had been marred by some people who shouted abuse and threw milkshakes and yoghurt at them.

"What's worse is they only got £3.75 and £2 of that was from a Big Issue seller who felt sorry for them," said Mrs Smith.

A firefighter costume was the order of the day at Allerton Primary School, when learning mentor Julie Topham prepared herself to be soaked.

One person was even willing to donate £5 to throw a bucket of water over the volunteer.

Business manager Lesley Barett said: "The main thing about today has been the fact that all of the stalls and events going on have been organised entirely by years three and four.

"We have counted some money and so far we have got more than £600, but we still expect that to go up a little bit.

"Julie's event went absolutely swimmingly - some of the parents even joined in."

Staff at Miriam Lord Primary School, in Church Street, Manningham, were hoping to raise more than £200 with a coin trail around their hall.

West Riding Toyota dealerships in Bradford, Huddersfield and Silsden also played their part, raising £655 by offering free winter car checks.

Rathbone Training in Cheapside, Bradford, auctioned off goodies to raise money for the cause.

Elsewhere in the district the Spice Girls, in the shape of school administration staff, were on hand at Ilkley Grammar School, and staff at Money Tailor's mortgage broker in Keighley donned fancy dress to raise cash.

Children at Guiseley Primary School also raised money by bringing their teddy bears to school.