PUDSEY Bear set off on an important mission to represent the people of Stockton yesterday.

The Children-in-Need charity bear collected a plaque bearing the borough's coat of arms and a letter to take to Norway.

Pudsey, the symbol of the BBC charity, will visit the town of his birth, Bergen - also known as Beargen.

There he will present the plaque, a tankard engraved with George Stephenson's Rocket and a letter from Stockton Mayor Jennie Beaumont to Bergen's civic dignitaries.

Pudsey began his journey at Asda at Portrack Lane in Stockton where he met the mayor.

Simon Rylander, events manager at the store, explained that the store had come up with the idea to send Pudsey on his mission to promote this year's Children-in-Need day.

He said: "We're doing a lot in the store this year for Children-in-Need and we thought this would be a good way to attract attention to the day.

"It will also help improve links between Stockton and the rest of the region with Bergen."

Pudsey will travel by ferry from North Shields to Bergen, which is Newcastle's twin town.

The bear will take a collection tin.

A number of fundraising events are planned at Asda stores throughout the region from Monday to Saturday next week.