A FRIENDLY bear found his way into the affections of bored children accompanying their parents on food shopping trips during the school summer holiday.

Brewster Bear called in at the Sainsbury's store, at the Arnison Centre, on the outskirts of Durham, armed with plenty of ice cream to give away to children.

Children visiting Brewsters' Ice Cream Roadshow were entertained with balloon modelling, face painting and plate spinning, as well as the ice cream treat.

The roadshow was staged as part of a link-up between the Sainsbury's store chain and Brewsters, which runs the Brewers Fayre family restaurants.

Each establishment features a fun factory, with Brewster Bear and friends on hand to entertain children, while their parents relax in the restaurant.

The Brewters' Ice Cream Roadshow is visiting 54 Sainsbury's stores throughout the country from July until September.

An estimated 16,000 ice creams will have been handed out by Brewster Bear by the end of the run next month.