A piano-playing marathon, belly-dancing in the streets and town centre line-dancing are all part of BBC Children in Need in York this year.

Vanessa Simmons, aged 25, is tackling a 12-hour stint on the piano in Walkers Bar in Micklegate.

Having already raised £300, she's hoping that donations for requests will keep the money rolling in until she finishes at 11pm tonight.

Meanwhile, belly dancers were wiggling in the streets in aid of the appeal.

Two belly dancers, Lynne Kirk and Sam Bach, were exchanging wiggles for money at lunchtime today in Parliament Street, York.

Mark Vines, area manager of HSBC bank, had his legs waxed in front of amused staff and the public. Julie Heminsley, senior customer services representative, confided that although the victim was supposed to be chosen by a vote, the actual outcome had been decided a long time ago.

The waxing, carried out by staff from the Daniel James Salon in Grape Lane, York, was just part of the fun.

Away from the city centre, though, York soldiers abseiled over battlements to raise money for the appeal.

Sgt Peter Lynch, aged 38, from Tang Hall, led the team from the Green Howards regiment as they descended the 100-foot Keep of Richmond Castle.

The soldiers unfurled a huge banner of Pudsey bear as they went over the top.

Other events at the castle included 24 drummers who gave a special display involving drums, bugles and fifes, and an appearance of the Richmond Drummer boy, an important part of local legend.

Meanwhile, a four-year-old boy was giving his heartfelt thanks to soldiers who protected his home from the floods.

Ben Lickley handed over a letter showing his appreciation of the efforts of the soldiers who helped to keep his home in Buller Street, Selby, dry.

Today Ben met Brigadier Andrew Farquhar, commander of 15 (North-East) Brigade, based at York's Imphal Barracks, who in turn presented the boy with a bag of army goodies.

The letter which Ben presented read: "Thank you for keeping my house and the rest of Selby dry. I saw all the sandbags you put in the river and the helicopter.

"I'm glad that you could keep my uncle's house dry in York. I wanted you to keep my granny's house dry, but it got wet. Thank you for trying."

Ben's dad, Andrew, said: "It was Ben's idea. It was totally spontaneous."

Ben and his mum Kathryn met the soldiers working at Silver Command in Selby and that inspired him to write the letter, which was accompanied by a drawing of an amphibious army vehicle, which Ben called "a duck".