youngsters held a teddy bears' picnic yesterday in aid of National Bear Week.

A small donation from the staff and children at Just Learning Nursery, Durham Road, Stockton, was made to the event and all money raised will go to the Action Medical Research Charity, whose mascot is Paddington Bear.

The charity receives voluntary support from trusts and foundations to fund medical projects, and all proceeds help fund research into a wide range of illnesses and conditions.

Catherine Russell, manager of the nursery, said: "The picnic was a great day and provided the children with a lot of fun, as well as being able to make a valuable contribution to such a worthy cause.