In Darlington: TOTS at a Darlington nursery did not have to bother getting dressed yesterday morning - because they all turned up to school wearing their pyjamas and carrying their teddy bears.

The youngsters were not the only ones - all the staff at Kids and Co, at the town hall, in Darlington, also turned up wearing their freshly-laundered nightwear.

The 35 children, aged from six weeks to four years, and 13 staff, were raising money for Children In Need.

The group enjoyed a pyjama and teddy bear tea party, and staff explained to the youngsters how their money would help other children.

Rosie Bailey, nursery manager, said: "All the children and staff have made a great effort to support Children In Need and had a great time.

"The children loved being in their pyjamas in the nursery."

The event raised about £50.

In Barnard Castle: A DEPARTMENT store manager is having to invest in new hats after a charity stunt.

Linzi Jackson, manager of Boyes, in Barnard Castle, had her hair shaved off to raise money for Children in Need.

The headshave was carried out in the store yesterday by staff from Riley's hairdressers.

Ms Jackson said it was probably stupidity that led her to agree to have her head shaved.

She said: "It was just a bit of a joke really. I said I'd do it if my fianc agreed. I thought he would say no, but he didn't.

"Then I said I'd only do it if they raised more than £1,000, and so far they've raised £1,200.

"The weather's cold now, so I've got some woolly hats.

"I had a look at myself in the mirror and it's a bit scary, but it's for a good cause and it will grow back."

In Middleton St George: BRAVE fundraiser Allison Hogg has vowed to buy herself a woolly hat after sacrificing her long locks to raise money for charity.

Mrs Hogg decided to get her hair shaved off yesterday to raise more than £300 for Children in Need.

Mrs Hogg, who works as a human resources officer at Middleton St George Hospital, said: "It's only hair - it'll grown back. People think I'm brave, but a bit crazy. I just wanted to raise money and help the kids out."

Staff and patients at the hospital have raised more than £700 for Children in Need, with an auction, competitions, quizzes and raffles.

In Newton Aycliffe, Shildon, Bishop Auckland: GUESTS at a Newton Aycliffe hotel could be forgiven for thinking that the lobby had been changed into an extra bedroom when they arrived to find a member of staff snoozing in a king-size bed.

The Sleep Inn Hotel, in Newton Aycliffe, organised the unusual scenario to raise money for Children in Need.

Sales manager Julie Hodds, pictured, spent 24 hours in her pyjamas in the lobby to boost Pudsey's fund.

She said: "Well, we are The Sleep Inn Hotel, so a sleep-in seemed an appropriate thing to do. So far we have raised £350, with more money coming in."

* Staff at Asda in Bishop Auckland and Spennymoor also did their bit for the charity. Children in Spennymoor sang on the radio in store, while Bishop Auckland staff held a Pudsey Pamper day on Thursday and a

grand auction and Pudsey sleep- in outside the store yesterday.

* Kensington Dental Surgery, in Cockton Hill, Bishop Auckland, wore rugby strips for the day.

* Pupils at Sunnydale School, Shildon, threw wet sponges at teachers.

* A fundraising week at Bishop Auckland College, including a sponsored wax, raised £774.

* Staff and children at Pixley Dell Day Nursery, Spennymoor, held a teddy bears' picnic.

* Pupils at King Street Primary School, Spennymoor, donned fancy dress and sold sandwiches.

* Bishop Auckland Town Hall held a Grand Folk Extravaganza, featuring folk artists from all over the North-East.

In Ingleby Barwick: TODDLERS and their teddy bears had a picnic in their pyjamas as a Children in Need event yesterday.

The tots then fell asleep with their favourite cuddly toys at the Just Learning Nursery, in Myton Road, Ingleby Barwick, near Stockton.

After the day's work with the little ones ten staff at the nursery settled down for a girly night in together at the nursery in a sponsored sleepover.

Staff who decided not to stay over had to endure a spell in the stocks where they were covered in gunge and had to pay a forfeit for the charity.

"The children have had a lovely day in their pyjamas and with their teddy bears," said nursery manager Michelle Simcox. "They played all day and then they curled up with their teddies and fell asleep. Now we're all getting ready to have a laugh tonight."

The sponsored teddy bear day raised more than £250 and it was expected that a similar amount would be raised from the sleep-over sponsorship money.

In Durham: YOUNGSTERS at a North-East school could have been forgiven for dozing at their desks yesterday.

They were all dressed in pyjamas and dressing gowns as Newton Hall Infants School, near Durham City, got in the spirit of Children In Need day.

The school charged £1 minimum for the privilege of spending the day in nightwear and its 160 four to seven year olds eagerly took up the offer - as did teachers and support staff.

Their lazy effort raised about £182.

Headteacher Lyn Blacklock said: "It has been a fantastic, fun day. As well as coming to school in pyjamas, the pupils were also able to bring their favourite cuddly toy.

"It shows the team spirit in the school."

In Stockton: A LEADING council politician faced up to his secret horror yesterday by having his beard shaved off.

It was the first time Councillor Alex Cunningham had seen his face without whiskers for 27 years.

The Stockton Borough councillor was surrounded by members of freak show Circus of Horrors as he raised more than £1,000 for Children in Need.

Coun Cunningham, cabinet member for education, culture and leisure, was trapped into having his beard shaved off by a throwaway remark.

Council worker Sharon Aylesbury said: "Last year we had someone shave off their moustache and Alex wrote an e-mail saying 'Next year you can have my beard for a £1,000'.

"I kept the e-mail and reminded him about it a couple of months ago. He has been a great sport about it."

At the last count £1,078.93 had been raised but more money was coming in last night.

The Circus of Horrors are performing at the Forum Theatre, Billingham, Teesside, until Sunday. Call the box office on (01642) 552663 for details.

* Twenty-five men from the npower centre in Thornaby, near Stockton, helped raise money for the Children in Need by volunteering to have their legs waxed. It is not yet certain how much money they raised.

At Teesside Park: STAFF at Morrisons' Teesside Park superstore do not seem impressed as Bob the Builder chips away at the fried breakfast served up by general manager Lawrence Mudd. Mr Mudd volunteered to spend most of the day cooking for his hungry staff, but it looked likely that they would donate more to Children in Need if they could avoid his gastronomic creations.