PUDSEY is coming to Carlisle as part of the BBC's annual live Children in Need television extravaganza.

The giant cuddly bear has paid a visit to the city to celebrate the news that the University of Cumbria's Institute of the Arts will play host to BBC Look North's annual event.

The Brampton Road campus, Stanwix, will be the base for an evening of performances and celebrations on Friday, November 16, aimed at highlighting fundraising across Cumbria and the North East.

Roddy Hunter, the director of the university's Institute of the Arts, said: "We’re delighted that Pudsey wants to come and see what the Institute of the Arts has to offer and look forward to making him and his supporters welcome.

"It’s great also to collaborate with the BBC who will be hosting some of our students at BBC Newcastle in the future so they can gain an insight into a career in broadcasting. On the night, students from our TV and film course will be assisting the BBC’s technical team at Brampton Road to ensure the programme runs smoothly."

The event is being managed by BBC North East and Cumbria who will be producing three live inserts into the national programme broadcast on BBC One.

The Carlisle campus will be specially illuminated for the event.

The event will be closed to members of the public, but viewers will be able to enjoy the atmosphere throughout the evening.

Phil Roberts, head of BBC regional and local programming, said, “We’re really pleased to bring Pudsey to Carlisle to celebrate the fantastic work of the charity in our region.

"It’s a great opportunity to work in collaboration with the University of Cumbria and give their students a chance to gain behind the scenes experience of a large-scale BBC Outside Broadcast.”

Professor Julie Mennell, vice chancellor of the university, said: "The programme is one of the most popular staged by the BBC and the chance to showcase the university in front of a large audience is a real coup for Cumbria."

Last year’s telethon raised £60.7m.