Appeal boost for worthy causes

Presenters Donna Traynor and Craig Doyle with Pudsey Bear

The BBC's Children in Need appeal has raised more than £430,000 for worthy causes in Northern Ireland.

This year's event marks the appeal's 21st anniversary and was hosted in Belfast by Donna Traynor and Craig Doyle. The comperes in London were Gaby Roslin and Terry Wogan

The province's show got under way in BBC Blackstaff in Belfast at 1900 GMT on Friday.

Earlier, a host of BBC Radio Ulster presenters took part in a special radio pantomime and an on air auction raised over £33,000.

Speaking before Friday's show, BBC Northern Ireland presenter Donna Traynor said: "I am delighted to be doing Children In Need."

Her co-presenter Craig Doyle added: "It's just great being able to work in Belfast with the most generous people in the United Kingdom.

"This area continually gives more money to Children In Need than any other region and it fills me with a great sense of pride that we do so."

Children In Need celebrates its birthday at seven locations across Northern Ireland.

The locations were:

BBC Marquee, Ormeau Avenue, Belfast

BBC Foyle Marquee - County Londonderry

Seagoe Hotel, Portadown - County Armagh

Stables Bar, Antrim - County Antrim

Strangford Arms, Newtownards - County Down

Omagh Leisure Complex, Omagh - County Tyrone

Mahon's Hotel, Irvinestown - County Fermanagh

Last year, Children In Need raised £19.3m nationally.

In 1999, the total raised in Northern Ireland on the night of the appeal was £480,180, with thousands of people helping Pudsey by organising fund-raising events.

To make a donation to Children in Need telephone [phone].

The phone lines will be open from 1900 GMT on Friday until 0200 GMT on Saturday.