A LIVE jazz band performing timeless classics had shoppers tapping their feet as Children in Need took over the Westgate Centre.

Pudsey the Bear and his small army of volunteers were out in force to persuade people to dig deep in their pockets and support the annual fundraising spectacular.

Al Ryan's Savoy Jazz Orchestra attracted a crowd of dancing shoppers and some BBC radio presenters were persuaded to get behind the mic to support the cause.

Casey Winkless, the marketing manager for the centre, said it was just the sort of event the Westgate wants to organise to support the city.

She said: "It's such a great cause and one that is close to everyone's hearts so it was something we wanted to get behind.

"We want to be a place that supports the whole of Oxford - that is a big part of everything that we are doing here.

"Hopefully it will help bring people to the centre who haven't been already and shows that it's not just about the shopping, there's lots of other reasons to come."

Kay Rush had stopped to enjoy the songs that reminded her of her youth.

The 79-year-old from Bicester, said she tries to support Children in Need 'whenever I can.'

She said: "I will put some coins in, anything I can afford from the pension.

"For many children, it's frankly a dire situation.

"There are a lot of problems with families splitting up and people born into troubled households.

"They need a lot of support.

"We can help give them a good chance in life."

Linda Kenny, a carer, was attending with Genoeffa Santo-Liquido and Rosetta Santo-Liquido, twin sisters who she looks after at their home in Wheatley.

Ms Kenny said: "We love music and we like to support things so it's perfect for us.

"It is such an important cause.

"You hear about so many projects who get funding from Children in Need.

"I like that you can see the difference it makes here, in your own towns and cities.

"There are so many good projects, I just think it is brilliant. We try to support it when we can.

Thousands of people across the county also got into the spirit of the event which raised a record £46.6m nationwide last year.

School children took part in yellow themed non-uniform days, bake-sales and raffles in a bid to raise as much money as possible.

Oxfordshire charities and good causes including A2Dominion, the Ark T Centre and the Blackbird Leys Adventure Playground have received grants worth thousands of pounds in recent years.

See Monday's Oxford Mail for more pics and reaction.