BEAN baths, bake sales, and talent shows – these are just some of the ways people in Dorset have been raising money for Children in Need this year.

The BBC Children in Need 2016 appeal is back again and the charity has been urging people across the county to get involved. Almost a million pounds has gone to good causes in Dorset to date.

Schools across Dorset have helped raise money for Children in Need through bake sales and fancy dress days.

Tonight, the Verwood Hub and pupils from Emmanuel Middle School have paid tribute to Sir Terry Wogan with a variety performance.

The entertainment-packed evening, organised by Warren Brown, is expected to raise somewhere in the region of £5,000.

Prior to the show, children were invited to enjoy a fun-filled afternoon of face painting, a bouncy castle, and children's entertainer Jules.

At 5.30pm, Neil Zebedee performed on the piano, while guests began to gather. There was also a display from the Poole Field Gun Display Team.

At 7.30pm Mickey Mouse and his friends danced into the theatre to the sounds of Floral Dance, before the compare David Armstrong announced the arrival of the guests of honour for the evening, the Deputy Lieutenant of Dorset John Raymond and the Mayor of Verwood councillor Susan Shaw.

There was then a plethora of communal singalongs, a performance from the Prompt Corner Academy of Dance, pianist Matt Black, Swish of the Curtain, and the Yetminster Irish Dancers, before Pudsey made his appearance on stage.

There were also performances from the likes of the Wessex International Majorettes, Lindy Hop club Jitterbug Jive, and even more appearances from much-loved children's characters.

Warren said: "This evening was dedicated to Terry and what he did for Children in Need. It's been a great night and a lot of work has gone into putting on this event."

One Bournemouth school, Kingsleigh Primary School, held its own talent show in a bid to impress Pudsey this morning.

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Henry Brown Youth Centre in West Howe raised money through a cake sale and barbecue. There was also ‘have a go’ sumo wrestling and games including throwing wet sponges at a ‘victim’ in the stocks.

Yesterday, Year 3 and Year 4 at Heathlands Primary Academy entertained pupils, parents, and other members of the community with a host of games and activities.

The theme of the day’s fundraising was ‘superheroes’ and was the culmination of a project the children worked on in September.

Teacher Shelia Nash explained: “The idea behind the project was ‘can I be a superhero?’ to prove that they can use their powers to raise money for Children in Need.

“We had a fair, which was hugely exciting, and a cake sale. The children’s work was on display showing their real and imaginary heroes. They also made Top Trump cards based on their heroes and performed an Incredible Hulk dance and a superhero song.”

She added: “This is the first time we’ve done something for Children in Need on this scale, and it’s been an absolutely amazing outcome of their project.”

Businesses have also been getting involved in the fundraising fun. In Poole, DW Fitness Club staff challenged themselves to cover a 1,060-mile distance, either by swimming, rowing, and spinning, tyre flipping, or using monkey bars. Even Pudsey Bear got involved in the challenge.

And Lloyds staff member Matt Richards (pictured) sat in a bean bath for four hours in the Bournemouth branch to raise funds.

Praising everyone’s fundraising efforts, Juliet Williams, BBC Children in Need regional officer for the south and west said: “Each year we are astounded by the generosity of the public as they dig deep and pull out all of the stops to help change the lives of disadvantaged children and young people in communities all across the UK.”