KIND-HEARTED people across Bolton were in charitable mood for Children in Need.

The town pulled together for the annual fundraising extravaganza, with fundraisers young and old going out of their way to raise money for the cause.

Youngsters went into school in fancy dress, and companies around the borough held cake sales and other fundraising events.

The charity was hoping to beat last year’s record breaking total of £32.6 million raised on the night.

Among those taking part were children Gaskell Primary School and The Ferns Academy in Farnworth, who decided to follow the charity’s superhero theme.

Schoolchildren dressed up as a range of superheroes including Spiderman and Superman, and at the Ferns Academy sisters Jessica and Tayla Smith dressed in military uniform as a tribute to their father who is serving in the Army.

The Ferns Academy raised more than £250, which will be split between the Children in Need appeal and the British Legion Poppy Appeal.

Michelle Hough from the school said: “The children had a great time. We had the usual superhero costumes but the girls dressing up as their dad was also very cute.”

Youngsters in the children’s ward at the Royal Bolton Hospital were treated to a visit from Pudsey the bear, greeting them and bringing cheer to the award.

Charlie Orgill, aged six, and his brother Arthur, aged four, who attend St Stephens and All Martyrs Primary School in Darcy Lever went in dressed as a Roman soldier and as King Arthur respectively.

Chelsea Hughes also got in the spirit, sending The Bolton News a picture of her two-year-old son Charlie in a Pudsey jumper.

Since its launch in 1980, the charity has raised nearly £800 million for children's charities in the UK, supporting 2,500 projects which help disadvantaged children.

One Direction and Dame Helen Mirren were among the stars hoping to make this year's Children In Need the biggest yet.