ALL eyes were on Prudhoe on Friday as this year's record breaking Children in Need appeal got under way.

BBC cameras broadcast from Prudhoe Castle throughout the evening of Friday, November 18.

Hundreds of visitors and locals flocked to the castle, making the most of Pudsey's parking area at SCA's Prudhoe Mill and the shuttle bus service to the castle and back.

The event was presented by the BBC's Colin Briggs, Paul Mooney and Alison Freeman, with Helen Richardson on BBC Radio Newcastle, who gave three live TV broadcasts between 7.30pm and 9pm.

Earlier in the afternoon a fund raising world record attempt at Prudhoe West First School had been the focus of the television cameras.

Between 10am and 2pm on Friday children from Prudhoe West First School, St Matthews Primary School, Prudhoe Castle First School, Adderlane First School and Mickley First School joined forces in a charity face-painting challenge.

And working like the wind, five face painters may have broken the Guinness World Record for the most faces painted in a four-hour period.

The judges are still drawing up the final numbers to give confirmation, but Prudhoe West First School believes that the record has been broken.

For the full report pick up this week's edition of the Hexham Courant.