Pudsey has visited three schools in Weymouth to spread awareness of this week's Children in Need campaign and to make children smile.

The charity mascot made visits to three schools in Weymouth: Beechcroft Primary School, Radipole Primary School and Busy Bees Nursery.

The iconic yellow bear, who will be on TV on November 18 for the BBC's Children in Need event, interacted with the children, answered their questions and distributed sweets.

Pudsey surprised the children at Radipole school when he snuck into the assembly. During the Q&A some of Pudsey’s favourite questions from the visit were ‘what is your favourite cake’ and ‘what is your favourite colour’.

At Beechcroft, Pudsey arrived first thing in the morning. He was greeted by student and fan Hali-Rai in her Pudsey shirt carrying her two Pudsey teddies. Hali-Rai’s mother said: “Hali watches Pudsey every year, she adores him, she has loved him since she was very little.”

Pudsey’s visit to Busy Bees Nursery was arranged by Sally Chef. Children’s faces lit up as Pudsey entered the classrooms and answered interesting questions from the children.

The visits were organised by Weymouth Manor, a new care home set to open in December. Its owners, Chanctonbury Health Care, sponsored the event.

Pudsey was chaperoned by Esther Sheppard, the contact manager at Weymouth Manor.

She said: “We enjoyed being able to visit the schools this year, sadly I haven’t been able to visit schools and hospitals over the last two years because of covid-19 restrictions. It’s so lovely to be able to do this again.

“Seeing how excited the children were to see Pudsey and to tell him all about the fundraising they’re doing next week was fantastic.

“Weymouth Manor is keen to be a big part of the community in Weymouth and looks forward to opening its door to residents and families soon.

“I would like to say a special thank you to Billy Hutchinson for being a huge support and for Booker in Weymouth who kindly donated some sweets to us.”

Lucy, home manager at Weymouth Manor, also joined the iconic bear on his school visits.

She said: “It has been so lovely for the home to be a part of Children in Need, I have enjoyed being able to visit the schools with Pudsey and see the children’s smiling faces.”

Children in Need is a UK charity working to improve the lives of disadvantaged children and young people.