Bradford bearly had time to catch its breath as it threw itself into fundraising fun.

People across the region came up with hare-brained schemes to raise thousands of pounds for the annual Children In Need appeal.

Staff at bathroom giants Spring Ram on the Euroway trading estate in Bradford went potty with stunts including baby bottle races, gunging general manager Gary Pepperday and sitting in baths of beans.

Operations manager Linda Walmsley, said: "We've had a hectic time. Sitting in beans was quite cold. I'm glad it's over now!"

Bradford City stars Craig Ramage and Stephen Wright were game for a laugh, signing autographs at Asda's Owlcotes branch. They joined in with Farsley's Workhouse Gym which was holding a sponsored workout.

Organisers at the store were hoping to smash last year's total of £3,000 and break the £5,000 barrier.

Girls from Bradford Girls' Grammar School paid tribute to Pudsey Bear by building a huge collage of the mascot with their own teddies.

The giant bear measured a whopping 10 metres , made of 2,500 bears.

Michele Muirhead, head of Russian at the school, said: "It has gone exceedingly well. And the girls have really enjoyed it. There has been an exciting atmosphere."

Mrs Muirhead said she was expecting to raise more than £800. Any teddies left will be sent to a Romanian orphanage.

Pudsey Bear was present himself to lend a hand to staff at Midland Bank, Market Street, in Bradford, where more than £4,200 was collected from city-centre shoppers and a non-uniform day.

As well as Pudsey Bear, Buzzy Bee and Ollie the Owl toured Leeds-Bradford Airport collecting change from holiday makers. A foreign coin collection at the airport had already raised more than £1,000.

Leeds Rhinos charged into Pudsey Asda to find Miss Piggy and Wonderwoman working behind a till.

Nursing staff at Cottingley Nursing Home, Bradford Road, were on the prowl dressed as man-sized tigers to raise funds, while workers at Skipton Building Society's Silsden branch were kitted out as Hillbillies.

Weight watchers in the Silsden, Shipley, Guiseley and Baildon areas raised £200 by holding car-boot sales with clothes too big to fit them.

The appeal culminated last night with a seven-hour television marathon hosted by Terry Wogan and Gaby Roslin. But events are set to continue over the weekend.

Bradford-based Yorkshire Westeners' Association are holding a weekend camp-out at the Ship Inn, Mirfield and members of Eccleshill Victoria Conservative Club will be shaving off their moustaches today.

After last night's fundraising the Children In Need appeal total was expected to top well over £5,500,000.

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