Wacky antics for Children in Need

Dance-a-thons, pyjama days and people sitting in tubs of baked beans - the nation is set to mark Children in Need today.

Schools, colleges and businesses across the country will be getting involved, finding ever more weird and wacky ways to raise cash.

And people in the Black Country and Staffordshire are also showing their support, with events including a charity leg wax at Asda in Tipton and a charity football match at Heathfield Foundation Technology College in Cradley Heath and

Pupils at Walsall College looked pretty in pink as they took on a four hour dance-a-thon to raise money.

About 80 travel and tourism students put on their dancing shoes to perform a holiday club dance.

The college's Wisemore Campus, in Littleton Street West, was awash with pink and Pudsey accessories as dancers took on their challenge. The famous bear even made an appearance.

Suzie Richards, travel and tourism lecturer, said: "The students learned about the popular holiday club dances during a presentation by Josh Bannister, a Thompson Holiday Rep who had visited the college to give students an insight into his job role.

"Since that day, the students have been practising and thought a four hour dance would be a fantastic way to raise cash for Children in Need."

In addition to the dance, staff and students at the college will be taking part in a range of activities including a coffee morning and a pyjama day. Tonight's televised fundraising extravaganza is on BBC 1 from 7pm and will see celebrities perform — or make fools of themselves — for the charity.

Two of the nation's favourite soaps will join forces for one night only when the cast of Coronation Street mix with Eastenders' famous faces.

ITV's Loose Women are also set to perform a Girls Aloud hit, while the newsreaders will treat viewers to their annual musical showcase.

It will be presented by Terry Wogan, joined by Tess Daly and Fearne Cotton.

Tonight's television appeal will also see the recently reformed Take That, chart-topping boyband JLS and Strictly Come Dancing stars take to the stage. A host of celebrities including Cheryl Cole, Alexandra Burke and Peter Andre will pull together for the seven-hour charity telethon as organisers aim to beat last year's record-breaking total of £39 million.

Formula 1 drivers Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button will also be going head to head in a go-karting challenge.

This year, Pudsey and his best bear friend Blush have called on the nation to "Show your spots, let's raise lots".

David Ramsden, BBC Children in Need chief executive, said the broadcaster was "humbled and inspired" by money raised annually, and called for people to get behind this year's appeal.

Welsh singer Sir Tom Jones is to sing at Television Centre tonight. The star-studded show will also see Torchwood star John Barrowman presenting from Glasgow, where the cast of hit musical We Will Rock You perform.

The One Show's Alex Jones will be hosting the appeal at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff during half-time in the Wales v Fiji international rugby match.