FUNDRAISING events, ranging from a mile-long swim in the icy North Sea to a mock missing persons operation, helped raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for Children in Need yesterday.

In Durham, young actors stepped in front of the footlights for the first time.

There was barely a dry eye in the house when the 51 performers, aged from three to seven years old, took part in Bow School's production of Snowmen at Sunset.

Under the direction of Ann Kern, head of the school's pre-prep department, the boys had spent two weeks rehearsing for their moment in the spotlight.

She said: "The musical was especially poignant at this time of year, when we are keen to help our youngsters understand the spirit of Christmas in remembering those in less fortunate circumstances".

In Stanley, staff at Asda organised a walkabout in the town by Pudsey Bear, the Children in Need mascot.

But alarm bells were sounded when the mascot went "missing".

A mock police operation was mounted and the young bear was soon reunited with his minders with the help of the police.

Marsha Spence, of Asda, said: "It was fun with a serious message about child safety.''

At Low Newton Prison, in Durham, governor Dave Thompson donned his old uniform after 14 years for a back to the floor exercise in which he worked a late shift on one of the wings.

Mr Thompson was joined by two other governors, Clair Hutchings-Budd and Fred Hunter, and the trio were sponsored by staff and prisoners.

Marc Fairman, a customer services advisor at npower in Peterlee, swapped his office desk for the icy waters of the North Sea when he zipped himself into a wetsuit and braved the elements to swim a mile from Horden to Blackhall.

And there was an early call for a dozen students from the Houghton-le-Spring area, who walked the seven miles to Durham's Sixth Form Centre to raise funds.

The students were on their way by 6am and all arrived in time for their lectures.

At Deerness Valley Comprehensive School, in Ushaw Moor, staff and pupils raised as many laughs as cash when they performed their version of Fame - The Musical.