ANYBODY who ventured into Bishop Auckland Town Hall yesterday was in for a big surprise, because teddy bears were having a picnic.

Children took their favourite bears and joined in the fun, which had been laid on for them by Wear Valley Arts.

Youngsters took part in circus skills, parachute games and face painting, and were entertained with fire-eating, unicycling, stilt-walking and other events.

There was even a competition for best dressed teddy.

The celebration had been scheduled to take place at Auckland Castle, but was moved to Bishop Auckland Town Hall when the weather took a turn for the worse