PUDSEY Bear took time out to meet a group of special needs students as part of the Children in Need appeal.

The popular mascot for the appeal got a free lunch, thanks to a group of catering students from Darlington College of Technology, who baked some Pudsey biscuits especially for his visit on Tuesday.

Course coordinator Liz Smith said Pudsey's visit to the college had been well received by staff and students.

She said: "To celebrate his visit, our group of special needs catering students decided to mark it by preparing some special Pudsey Bear biscuits."

His visit to the college is one of many in the region in the run- up to the annual fundraising appeal, on November 17.