PUDSEY Bear joined hundreds of musical youngsters at a Whetstone bar today to help raise money for Children in Need.

Al Pascal's music school hosted the gig at The iBar, in High Road, to showcase young talent and help bring the community together.

More than 40 performers from the school, aged from eight to 18, entertained the crowds, accompanied by face painters, jugglers and balloon artists.

School founder Alex Paschali, who dressed up as Pudsey Bear, said: "A show of this sort is the perfect platform for our children to raise money for other less fortunate children through their love of music.

"With the popularity of shows like X-Factor and Britain's Got Talent, there's been an increasing call for rock/pop music tuition and a place to showcase young talent locally, and to give to such a worthy cause is a perfect combination."

Mr Paschali's fiance, Cynthia Brown, 40, added: "It has been such a success. Everyone's had a fantastic time.

"It's all about the local community and trying to get as many local people together as possible."

Around 400 people turned up to the charity event, which is one of many being planned by owner Nick Berlevy over the next few months.

The 52-year-old took over the bar in April 2007 and hopes to transform it into one of the top live music venues in north London.

He has already refurbished one room to resemble an all-American diner, complete with original Woodstock tickets and two gold discs from The Who and The Rolling Stones on the walls.

He said: "We are doing lots of charity events - anything we can do.

"This is a fantastic venue and we have the opportunity to offer great facilities that charities can use to raise money.

"Watching the kids up there performing is great. It's a really good way of promoting local, new music.

"I am hoping to do lots more events like this in the future. My mother is dying of Alzheimer's, so I want to raise a lot of money for that."

For more information on the iBar and Al Pascal's music school visit www.ibar.uk.com and www.alpascalmusic.co.uk.