THOUSANDS of people across the region are joining madcap events to raise money for the BBC's Children in Need appeal today.

Bathing in custard, dressing as Wombles and abseiling are just some of the crazy fundraising activities taking place around the North-East and North Yorkshire.

All the money raised will be go to vulnerable and deprived children in the UK.

Last year, £12.9m was raised on the night of the appeal and £25m overall.

The money was shared by children's charities and voluntary groups, with 1,755 separate grants made to causes across the country.

Among the North-East recipients were St Oswald's Hospice in Newcastle, which was awarded £44,751 for specialist equipment, and the Child Witness Service in York, which was given £16,050 to pay for a scheme to support young witnesses.

Other projects to receive help will be featured during the live BBC coverage from the North-East tonight.

Children in Need, which has been running since 1927, has raised more than £300m over the years.

It became a televised event in 1980, presented by Terry Wogan, Esther Rantzen and Sue Cook, and has got bigger every year. Terry will be back this year, joined again by co-presenter Gaby Roslin.

Pop Idol winner Will Young will sing live on the show and all proceeds from his double A-side single will be given to the charity.

One of the highlights for fundraisers in the region will be a free pop concert at the Riverside Stadium, in Middlesbrough tonight.

Chart-toppers Sugababes, Liberty X and Busted will be on stage, with donations collected for charity.

At the the BBC's Pink Palace regional headquarters, tonight's local coverage is split between the broadcasting centre, in Fenham, Newcastle, and the Riverside Stadium.

Entertainment lined up at the Pink Palace includes girl band Felony, singer Mark Allan, children's group Bumbleweebs, plus a salsa band, and appearances by members of Newcastle Falcons rugby team, stars of Byker Grove, Sunderland's Danish international goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen and tv and radio presenter Kathy Secker.

Meanwhile, youngsters are going to school in fancy dress and hoards of brave men and women will be having their heads shaved and legs waxed.