CHILDREN In Need's Pudsey Bear is hoping to score a winner by auctioning off a signed football shirt for the annual fundraiser this week.

Asda, in Stockton, is auctioning a Middlesbrough FC shirt, signed by French left back and fans' favourite Franck Queudrue.

Somebody has already bid £200 for the shirt, but the store's events co-ordinator, Jill Fidan, is hoping eager fans will dig deep in their pockets to raise cash for needy youngsters.

"Pudsey wrote to Middlesbrough FC to say he had had an exciting life, but had never played with his favourite team or had his own Middlesbrough football shirt," said Mrs Fidan.

"In response, the club sent us a shirt signed by Franck Queudrue, which we are now auctioning off for charity."

The store is also organising bucket collections and selling signed pictures of Middlesbrough's X Factor hopefuls Journey South for £1 each in aid of Children in Need.

"We are hoping to beat last year's Children in Need target of £3,000 in the store, so the more people who bid and donate, the better."

The deadline for bids for the shirt is Sunday.

Bids can be dropped off at the customer services desk at the store, or posted to Shirt Auction, Pudsey Bear, Asda, Portrack Lane, Stockton.

Anyone interested is asked to leave their full name and contact details.