DORSET fund-raisers threw their weight behind the multi-million pound Children in Need appeal with a selection of wacky events to mark the day.

Fancy dress, endurance events and appearances from the great bear himself all helped raise cash for the annual BBC appeal to raise money for disadvantaged children.

Pudsey was on hand to encourage shoppers to part with their cash at Asda, Castlepoint. The store will be running a land train today to further boost the total.

And visitors to nearby Caffe Nero were served by staff wearing togas.

At Kondor Ltd in Three Legged Cross business director Simon Hassell and buyer Justin Christie raised thousands of pounds with a 24-hour drumming session and staff at Bournemouth's Village Hotel took part in a 12-hour fancy dress spinathon.

Customers were astonished when Russell Brand, Amy Winehouse and Britney Spears all made an appearance at Toni and Guy in Christchurch as hairdressing staff donned the weird and wacky hairstyles of our favourite celebrities when they dressed-up for the day.

Students at the Grange School in Christchurch raised more than £450 from a variety of events including a mufti day, junior disco and selling home made cakes among other things at a lunchtime mini-fete.

In Poole, staff at McColls newsagent in Ringwood Road dressed as schoolgirls for the day.

And in Bransgore, rest home Woodside Lodge hosted a 1960s disco for staff and residents.

And at Corfe Mullen's Co-op store, 30 staff dressed as clowns for the day.