PUDSEY became a pupil at Nailsea School on Friday to help students count their coin collection for the BBC charity Children in Need.

The town went 'metal' for the annual fundraiser with music, loose change and a 'mad bad hair day' being just some of the stunts staged adding to the £20 million raised nationally.

Nailsea School Council organised the cake sale, netball tournament and a money-making stair stunt which resulted in its media staircase being covered with loose change.

School presidents Rosie Steel and Will Dowling masterminded a mega effort to carpet the stairs in 1p, 2p, 5p,10p and 20p coins and Pudsey Bear arrived for a visit in the mid-morning break.

Rosie said: "Friday was a great success, we raised so much – our grand total is £657.50.

"On Thursday we had a staff versus student netball tournament which was a bit of fun.

"During the break on Friday we had a massive cake sale where Houses had a competition to see who could raise the most money and bake the best tasting cakes.

"During Friday we attempted to cover the media stair case in loose change and we managed to cover the bottom three steps with all the money pupils had donated.

"Our giant Pudsey was running around school causing havoc and we would like to thank dance teacher Jenny Nelms for loaning the costume.

"Will and I would like to thank the school council for all their help on the day.

"We are also grateful for the massive support from the sixth form and staff.

"We never thought we would raise this much but throughout the day the total got larger and larger."

Also in Nailsea Sue Williams threw an open house at her Station Road home for a Pudsey Spuds & Puds annual lunch.

Sue, who is married to Trevor, of Trevor Ward shoe shop, has been serving her charity lunches for seven years.

The couple belong to Foresters, an international financial organisation well-known for its charitable works.

Lots of Forester friends turned up on Friday to tuck into baked potatoes with a choice of eight toppings and a wide array of waist-busting puddings.

Sue said: "We served 52 jacket potatoes and from the food, bring-and-buy, raffle and donations, from people unable to come, we raised £456.70.

"I would like to say thanks to everyone who supported the fund-raising, I am exhausted but delighted with result."

At Gilly's café the High Street staff had a hair-raising 'mad, bad hair day' and made almost £100.

Nichola Tuttiett said: "We have done something for Children in Need every year for five years since we first opened.

"Last year it was fancy dress and one of the staff wore angel wings which kept bumping into everything and everyone.

"So this year we decided to do weird and wonderful things with staff wearing pink wigs, Elvis clothes and lots of hair gel.

"All our tips for the day went to Children in Need."

And at the Farmhouse pub in Nailsea, head barman Greg Want, raised around £300 with a sponsored head shave.

The 18-year-old had spent the past year growing his shoulder-length hair, but it took less than five minutes to shave it off.

He said: "I haven't done anything for charity before but wanted to do something so it seemed as good an idea as any.

Talking about his new style he said: "I have to say it's a bit colder than I thought it would be."

In Clevedon the Salthouse pub raised more than £250 by hosting a fancy dress disco. The theme was favourite childhood characters.

Landlady Andrea said: "Everyone gave generously and we want to thank everyone for a great night."

A huge amount of effort was put into the costumes worn by children and nursery staff at Rydal Day Nursery in Albert Road, Clevedon.

After totting up the donations the nursery has contributed £27.27 towards Children in Need.

Children at Yeo Moor Junior School also paid a donation to leave their school uniform at home on the hangers and wear some fun and bright clothing.

In the afternoon assembly prizes were awarded for the best dressed in each year group.

The Incredible Hulk hardly needs to bulk up anymore, yet he was spotted on a rowing machine at The Health Club in Alexandra Road on Friday.

The hulk, aka manager Jonathan Hughes, was joined by staff members who dressed up as a pink lady, a soldier, and a Hawaiian goddess, and member of the public.

Every year the health club runs a men versus women 10-hour rowing contest. For the first time in four years the women beat the men. Overall the event raised £300.

Thunderbirds were on the go in Portishead. Male members of staff from Natwest dressed up as the puppets, while the female members of staff wore yellow t-shirts to represent Children in Need.

Those donating were able to choose which Thunderbird they wanted to soak in the stocks, and most of them spent the entire day wet, which helped to raise £797.09 for the charity. As a result of their efforts Natwest has also agreed to add £500 to the total.

Despite the cold weather they then braved the stocks to raise ____________.