PUDSEY'S eyes lit up once more last Friday as BBC's annual Children in Need appeal had the pounds piling up, with more than £17 million pledged on the night.

There was plenty of 'bear' faced cheek throughout the borough as people stacked up the cash for the charity. They included:

l-The Woolpack pub, in Wood Street, Elton, raised £1,000 when it held a Mr World competition on Friday night, when 15 men dressed as women to compete for the title.

l-Ten-year-old Myles Morland from Whitefield raised more than £300 by swimming a mile in the pool at Castle Leisure Centre. Myles, a pupil at Our Lady of Grace RC Primary School, was cheered on by friends, family and other swimmers.

l-Elton Community Primary School pupils raised £100 by taking silver coins into class to spell the name of the school.

l-The Mayor of Bury, Councillor Steve Treadgold, visited Peel Health Centre in Angouleme Way, Bury, where staff are still collecting donations after holding a morning's fundraising. They dressed as gypsies and held a raffle, tombola, book and cake stalls, and a colouring competition.

l-Bury College students wore pyjamas for the day and collected money from shoppers in Bury town centre.

l-United Co-op funeral directors in Bury took part in an 'old-school' sports day in fancy dress. They competed against funeral directors from across the North West in a variety of races, including an egg and spoon race, three-legged race, and a wheelbarrow race.

l-Bury-based PC World Business raised more than £4,000 with a number of initiatives, starting with breakfast served by managers and a cake stall in reception.

A bucking bronco and Sumo wrestling competition ensured the pounds kept rolling in at the Waterfold Park-based company. The Database Divas, a trio consisting of Christine Greenway, Karen Etches, Louise Williams, sang to the sales floors to rapturous applause. Employee Alan Farraday had his head shaved and other activities included raffles, sweepstakes and a fancy dress competition. At least £2,000 will be generated by 18 brave souls doing a fire walk next month.

l-Children and staff at the Foundation for Learning centre in Tenterden Street, Bury, held a pyjama party, with youngsters spending the day in costume.