PRUDHOE is preparing to welcome the nation’s favourite yellow plush bear as Pudsey pads into town.

The country is currently gripped in a fever of fund raising for Children in Need.

And this year, Prudhoe Castle will host this year’s appeal for BBC North-East and Cumbria tonight.

BBC cameras will broadcast from Prudhoe’s historic castle and local fund-raisers are invited to come along to showcase their efforts from 7pm.

The event will be presented by the BBC’s Colin Briggs, Paul Mooney and Alison Freeman, with Helen Richardson on BBC Radio Newcastle.

Three live TV broadcasts will be aired between 7.30pm and 9pm.

As befitting the historic setting, the evening will have a medieval theme.

Special medieval activities and games will be held to keep youngsters occupied, with characters in historic costume to keep them company.

Those attending the outdoor event can keep warm by browsing the wealth of festive crafts, tasty treats and local produce at the Christmas market.

Author of the popular Horrible Histories series, Terry Deary will also be in attendance to sign books.

And Prudhoe’s own Dragon Tale Theatre Group will perform this year’s pantomime, Rumpelstiltskin, between 7pm and 7.30pm and 8pm and 8.30pm.

Jane Gray, producer for the Children in Need programme, said: “It’s going to be an exciting night.

“We film in different locations around the region each year to see what local people are doing for Children in Need, and Prudhoe Castle is a lovely location so we’re really happy to be heading there.”

The SCA Prudhoe Mill is giving up its car park on the night for parking.

And mini-buses will be provided by Adapt Community Transport to do shuttle runs up to the castle and back.