KINDHEARTED Bromsgrove residents dug deep into their pockets and joined in a variety of different fundraising activities to raise cash for a good cause.

A number of events took part in the town to raise money for BBC Children in Need. Nationally the event raised £20,991,216, beating all previous records.

Children attending Rhythm Time classes in the area met the challenge of this year’s appeal to “Do Something Different”.

Babies, toddlers and pre-school children who went to the music classes wore their pyjamas and brought their favourite teddy bear to join in the fun.

Rhythm Time manager, Vicky Taramasco, said: “This is a great charity for us to support. BBC Children in Need positively changes the lives of disadvantaged children and young people in the UK. All the children and teachers alike had great fun supporting Pudsey Bear.”

Colleagues at Mortgage Brain’s head office in The Courtyard, Buntsford Gate, Buntsford Drive, Bromsgrove, held a fancy dress competition in aid of Children in Need along with its Croydon office. Fourteen staff from each office dressed up ranging from Indiana Jones and Santa and his elves. Staff also collected small change for the day and £500 was raised.

Fun loving staff at Ellie’s Salon, in Broad Street, Sidemoor, held duvet days where staff came to work in their pyjamas and brought along their teddies. A duvet was put over the sofa and customers were served cocoa intead of tea or coffee so they could also join in the fun. They raised £125.11.

David Ramsden, chief executive of BBC Children in Need, said: “I am completely overwhelmed by the way the country has come together in support of BBC Children in Need, demonstrating such generosity in these tough times, and I'd like to say a massive thank you to everyone involved. We can now focus our attention on finding more great projects that can change young lives for the better."