FUNDRAISERS across the county dug out their fancy dress and baked cakes for Children in Need.

Ahead of last night’s telethon children and adults held bake sales, costume parties and collections.

At the Young Friends Nursery in Holland Road, Brighton, children and staff dressed up as fruit and vegetables.

With costumes such as strawberries and broccoli, children went bananas as they had a healthy fruit and veg tea party – raising more than £100.

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Ebone Mouton, deputy manager of the nursery, said: “It was fantastic. The kids have all been making their fruit costumes and having their veggie snacks.

“We have our own vegetable patch and the children do a lot of cooking activities. We wanted to make a big thing of it and take advantage of it.”

The nursery also sold chutneys and jams made by the children to help raise funds.

Staff at Legal and General went to work in fancy dress and held bake sales, raffles and charity stalls.

There was a ‘guess how many balloons are in the mini’ competition and Pudsey Bear was in the office with a collection bucket. After office hours, Legal and General converted the call centre, manned by a crew of volunteers, into one of the Children In Need telethon bases and took pledges from members of the public.

Frances Borrer, community investment manager at Legal and General, said: “It is a really big charity fundraising day for us and people really get behind it.

“It is one of those things people really get involved in. You have the buzz during the day and then in the evening we have 150 volunteers taking calls.

“All the skills people use to talk to customers they use to take pledges for charity.”

Staff and children at the Playcare Nursery in Windlesham Road, Hove raised money for charity.

Sara Lee, nursery manager, said: “All week the children have been in fancy dress, making calendars, flower pots and gift boxes to sell.

“It’s been a very exciting week ending up with all the staff in costume too. A couple of the children were very excited to see Pudsey Bear.”

Superheroes put in appearances to raise money with Paul Holden, owner of Hungry Holden’s Sandwich Shop, donning Superman’s tights and cape.

At Midhurst Rother College students raised more than £1,400 as they held a superhero-themed fancy dress party and baking contest judged by Great British Bake Off star Miranda Gore Brown.

Pint sized Batmen and Supermen also put in appearances at Cbabiesafe, in Palmeira Ave, Hove, along with one baby who donned David Bowie’s iconic Aladdin Sane makeup.

At the Open Market children from Pixies Childcare in Ditchling Road sung songs dressed as superheroes and princesses.

The team from The Eventa Group in Brighton dressed in onesies and their pyjamas to raise £80.