This year's theme was 'Do Something Different' and people did not disappoint.

There was everything from leg waxing to pirate costumes.

More than £20m was raised on the night during the BBC telethon and much more is expected.

The charity aims to make a positive change to the lives of disadvantaged children and young people all over the country.

The directors of Witham Garage, in Leicester Road industrial estate, raised a fantastic £3,208 for Children in Need by holding a variety of events.

Lance Coaten and Graham Limbrick both dressed up for the occasion and had their legs and backs waxed.

The garage also held a car wash and car health check with a suggested donation of £15.

Graham said: "We think it was a success. We started with a target of £2,000."

Children from Brunts Farmhouse Children's Day Nursery raised more than ever for the charity by dressing up as pirates all week.

Belinda Bailey-Cowen, who owns the Long Clawson nursery, said: "We raised £100. That's the most we've ever raised. It's definitely something we would do again.

"We had been given lots of pirate bunting so we decided instead of doing it for one day we would do it all week."

The Melton Nursery School in Dalby Road chose to follow the pattern of Pudsey's eye-patch with the theme 'Lets go spotty' to help raise money.

Jo Rastall, from the nursery, said: "Throughout the week the children enjoyed making cakes and selling them to the parents. In total with the support from all parents, children and staff we raised £150."

Children from Park Lane Nursery wore pyjamas all day Friday to support the charity.

Manager June Halliday said: "We had great fun and raised approximately £57."

The children made Pudsey puppets, shortbread and the younger children coloured Pudsey Bear pictures.

Emma Wyles and Katie Gascoigne who are both pupils of King Edward VII school raised £43.58 by dressing in their pyjamas.

Kirby Bellars Pudsey fete smashed their £500 target by raising £616.01.

The event, at the village hall, saw donations from lots of Melton businesses for a raffle and tombola alongside face painting, arts competition and free food from Dominos Pizza.

Emma Holloway, 14, the event organiser, said: "We used to go round selling Pudsey biscuits but we decided to do something a bit bigger. We came round Melton asking for donations and they were all really good."

St Mary's Primary School in Melton raised a fantastic £383.54. They held cake sales each day last week at breaktimes plus a cake raffle on Friday.