Wales is partying in aid of the 2002 BBC Children in Need Appeal.

Hundreds of fund-raising events are being held across Wales in an effort to make this year's appeal total bigger than ever.

Last year �25m was raised across the UK - around �5m more than the previous year's total.

Pudsey takes up residence at Broadcasting House in Cardiff

A total of �547,942 was raised in Wales last year, and that figure was boosted with more contributions in the weeks that followed.

Around �1.9m of Children in Need money was distributed to children's charities and organisations throughout Wales during the year.

As usual, Friday's extravaganza sees a host of charity events taking place throughout the length and breadth of Wales.

Viewers and listeners can catch up with the Children in Need fundraising events all day on radio, television and online.

People can find out what is happening in their area, by surfing to the local Where I Live sites for a list of local events.

Radio Wales is doing its bit with karaoke fans showing off their talents to funnyman Owen Money who is collecting �1's for entry into this competition and later in the evening, Chris Needs will be broadcasting live from the Lyric Theatre in Carmarthen.

H and Claire are two of the star attractions on Friday's show

Friday night sees BBC Wales presenters Rhodri Williams and Francis Donovan present an evening of entertainment live from Broadcasting House in Llandaff, Cardiff.

Members of the public can bring their cash donations to BBC Broadcasting House, but entry to the television studio will be restricted to ticket holders.

A giant screen and other attractions - including fairground rides for children -will ensure that the crowds are entertained.

Former Steps stars H, from the Rhondda, as well as Claire, boy band 3SL, Steve Balsamo, Aled Jones and Rosie Ribbons - the Swansea singer from Pop Idol who captured the hearts of millions of viewers, are all making an appearance in Cardiff.

Pudsey bear is the ultimate star of the show

Radio Wales presenter Kevin Hughes, began broadcasting live from 1900 GMT, joined by a host of surprise guests and celebrities.

Cameras began relaying the action to a huge screen at Broadcasting House in Llandaff, Cardiff.

Radio listeners have already boosted the Welsh fundraising figures with a live auction on the Good Morning Wales programme.

Top international artist Andrew Vicari, who is from Port Talbot, made one Merthyr bidder happy with his auctioned offer to paint a special one-off portrait.

Malcolm Carey bid �4,100 for the special sitting which will take place soon.

BBC Children in Need, which was started back in 1980, has raised more than �300m over its 22-year history.