A SPECIAL visitor dropped in on a Lowestoft school to help kick-start its fundraising drive.

Prompting lots of smiles, cuddles and waves, Pudsey Bear was a VIP guest at the school assembly at Gunton Primary as pupils and staff geared up for their effort in aid of this year's Children in Need appeal.

Pudsey will be back on our TV screens this evening as tens of thousands of people across the UK prepare to support the annual fundraising event by taking part in a range of inventive and madcap stunts.

At Gunton Primary last Thursday, he offered some encouragement to the youngsters, parents and staff who have been baking cakes for a special sale, buying raffle tickets and holding a non-uniform day today.

Kirsten Stone, the school's upper key stage two manager, said: 'Pudsey's visit seemed to go very well as it was in front of a whole school assembly, which was wonderful. We've had very positive feedback from parents and it is a whole school occasion with children right from nursery up to year six all taking part.

'It raises awareness, and brings the community together as well,' she added.

All the money raised by the school, and by other fundraisers across Waveney, will benefit the national appeal which seeks to change the lives of disadvantaged children and young people in the UK.

'The whole idea of getting Pudsey into the school cropped up in conversation with the deputy headteacher, and it snowballed from there,' Mrs Stone said. 'In the first two days of selling raffle tickets at 10p a strip, more than �40 was raised – and it is fantastic that everyone is getting involved.'

It has been a busy couple of weeks for Pudsey Bear and staff at the Asda store in Lowestoft.

As well as visiting Gunton Primary, Pudsey visited Whitton Green, Fen Park, and Oulton Broad primary schools last week and he was also due to visit St Margaret's primary school and Hopton first school this week.

Bev Shipp, of Asda, who organised the visits, said: 'He spent two days last week travelling around Lowestoft visting the schools and taking them his baking books, cookie cutters and chef's hats. Children were so happy to see him.'

Yesterday, Pudsey was due to visit the James Paget University Hospital in Gorleston to present the children's ward with �1,000-worth of gifts that the Lowestoft store had brought from its own charity account and today he will be at the Asda store in Horn Hill, offering a chance to let people have their pictures taken with him.