Books have been read, cakes and biscuits were sold while weights were lifted and fancy dress was worn as Children in Need fever hit the district.

Hundreds of people across Waveney have been part of the Big Spotacular – as Pudsey Bear and some magical characters have made appearances.

Putting the fun into fundraising, schools, colleges, council staff, a learning and development team and staff members at a Lowestoft opticians have all joined tens of thousands of fundraisers across the country in a nationwide effort in support of the annual appeal.

Fun activities and non-uniform days have seen youngsters wearing something spotty as part of the official theme of the day.

Children at Gunton Primary Academy dressed in their favourite pyjamas or onesie for a donation, while a bake sale and Children in Need fair is being held. A spokesman for the academy, based in Gainsborough Drive, said: 'Pudsey Bear has been to assembly and visited all the children in their classrooms.'

Students and staff at Ormiston Denes Academy joined in with the 'bring your teddy to school day,' as a bake sale and duck racing contest was held.

At Oulton Broad Primary School, in Christmas Lane, a book swap was held as part of a 'Let's Read for Children in Need' themed event that saw pupils and staff dress to impress as book characters.

Some equally 'amazing fundraising' took place at Blundeston Church of England (VC) Primary School, in Church Road, Blundeston as Pudsey biscuits were sold and the school council organised a range of different games.

Pupils at Reydon Primary School, in Jermyns Road, Reydon joined in the fun with a range of 'spotty' outfits on display in the classrooms.

Pudsey gymnastics took centre stage at Roman Hill Primary School in Lowestoft, as pupils at the school in Avondale Road were among those celebrating Children in Need with some Pudsey teddy bear rolls and Pudsey spot balance exercises.

Staff at Waveney District and Suffolk Coastal councils dressed down for the day to raise funds, while cakes were sold to students as a Children in Need tombola – complete with numerous prizes – was held at Lowestoft Sixth Form College.

Members of staff at Specsavers, in Lowestoft town centre, dressed in onesies and pyjamas as they served members of the public. They raised funds by cycling 100 miles on a static bike in the store on London Road North for donations, while British powerlifting champion and Specsavers Lowestoft apprentice Bethany Wylie lifted 100kg as part of the store's fundraising efforts.

They also collected old £1 coins that are no longer usable to add to donations.

Lowestoft store director, David Holcombe, said: 'Children in Need is obviously a massive charity and it's a great opportunity do something fun to raise money.'

Nearby, in Regent Road, Lowestoft, the Realise Futures Learning and Development Lowestoft Learning Centre was transformed into Hogwarts for adult learners.

An open event was held as a little bit of magic, coffee, cakes and course information were available in the centre's very own Diagon Alley.

? Are you doing something for Children in Need in Waveney? Send pictures and details to mark.boggis@archant.co.uk

? The national fundraising drive will reach its peak tonight (Friday, November 17) during a star-studded telethon on BBC One, from 7.30pm.