CHILDREN and their teddy bears joined in a storytelling session to promote a new event.

The teddy bears' picnic at Geneva Wood, in Darlington, was part of the Tees Forest Storytelling Festival.

Youngsters were encouraged to cycle to the wood with members of Darlington Borough Council's countryside team. Once there, they enjoyed a picnic and a host of bear-related stories.

The festival, taking place for the first time, is a series of free events aimed at encouraging families to share stories.

As part of it, a Storytime Surprises session takes place in West Park, Faverdale, tomorrow, from 10.30am to 3.30pm. The event will include guided story-inspired walks and storytelling sessions, accompanied by children's author and illustrator Liz Million. A face painter will transform visitors into story characters or woodland creatures.

For details of the free event, call (01325) 388648.