NEARLY half a million pounds was raised for Children in Need through the madcap efforts of people across the region.

An array of fundraising activities helped the North-East to give £497,450 to the £13.5m raised nationwide.

All the money raised will go to children's charities and voluntary groups throughout the UK.

A spokesman for the BBC in the North-East said: "On the night, we raised more money than we did last year, which was fantastic."