PUDSEY bear was in the region yesterday preparing for the live Children in Need broadcast.

The cuddly mascot met with children from Hartlepool at the town’s Maritime Experience and posed for photos which will feature on the official Children in Need 2010 calendar.

He then joined BBC TV weather presenter Trai Anfield as she presented a live weather broadcast from the Marina for the lunchtime news.

Hartlepool’s Maritime Experience will be the backdrop for the live broadcast Children in Need show on Friday, November 20. It will be hosted by Look North’s Geoff Brown, Trai Anfield and Diane Youdale of ‘Gladiators’ fame.

The programme will start at 6pm and end at 10pm with a fireworks finale.

David Worthington, Hartlepool Council’s Museums and Heritage Manager, said: “We were delighted to welcome Pudsey to Hartlepool’s Maritime Experience. HMS Trincomalee made a great setting for the calendar photograph and will make a terrific backdrop for the appeal night broadcast as well.

“Pudsey received a really warm welcome and it’s clear everybody is really fired up about this years Children in Need and really excited about the action packed programme we have lined up.

“I hope that North-East people of all ages will come along and watch the show on the night. In the meantime, let’s all get cracking on our own fundraising activities to help Pudsey and his friends.”

For lots of great ideas for organising your own fundraising activities, log onto www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey/