BEAMING smiles, high fives and cuddles greeted Pudsey Bear when he visited little ones on the children’s ward at Poole Hospital today.

The giant cuddly character, the mascot for BBC’s Children in Need charity, which held its annual fundraising appeal event on Friday, fittingly popped into Bearwood ward, and then took a tour around Acrewood ward to meet some of the young patients in for treatment.

He was a hit with the children, who ranged in age from babes in arms to teenagers. “It’s lovely – you can see it in their faces, they’re really enjoying it. It’s made a boring afternoon at lot more fun for them,” said play specialist Tracey Fordham.

See what people across Dorset have been doing for Children in Need in our picture gallery

Little Rosie Beakhouse, almost two, was a particular fan of the cuddly bear – giving him a big kiss and cuddle. “It’s a really nice treat for her,” said mum Kim Armstrong.

“She loved it.”

Pudsey was there with Claire Bishop, community life champion from Asda, Poole. The pair had already toured several schools locally.

“It’s been amazing,” she said.

“The children have been really excited to see Pudsey.”

The store has been fundraising all week and is auctioning off a Manchester United football shirt signed by Edwin van der Sar to raise money for the charity which makes a difference to the lives of disadvantaged children across the UK.

Elsewhere caped crusaders raised money across Dorset for this year’s superhero themed appeal.

Customers at Boscombe East Post Office were greeted by a motley crew comprising Iron Man, Spiderman, Batman and a cowgirl, with postmaster Adam Phillips saying the team always love to enter into the spirit of the annual festivities.

At Sylvans Infant School in Poole children and staff chose to dress up as real life superheroes including nurses, firefighters, police officers and doctors.

County Gates based insurers Liverpool Victoria acted as an official call centre for the campaign with 120 staff taking phone donations.