A WORLD record attempt in Wilmslow to get lots of cuddly bears in one place was able to attract 251 furry animals.

The Teddy Bear Record Challenge, which was organised by Rotary Wilmslow Dean, a fortnight ago, at Party on the Carrs, attracted lots of furry animals that came along with their owners, both young and old, but insufficient to help set a UK or even world record.

One of the organiser's Geoff Shelmerdine said: "On the day, mums, dads, grandparents and children formed an orderly queue at the Rotary gazebo to hand over their precious collection to be numbered and photographed for the record attempt."

Mr Shelmerdine, who was taking photographic proof for the challenge with fellow rotarian Bernard Davies, was presented with one entrant, a bear named Little Ted owned by Wilmslow resident Joyce White.

According to Mr Shelmerdine, Mrs White, who was born in Ealing, London, acquired the bear for her first birthday more than 75 years ago, from her parents and during the Blitz.

He explained: "Mrs White said the bear went everywhere with her, including to the air raid shelters in the London underground.

"Losing her father in active service, Joyce was sent to the Scots Guards Boarding School where unfortunately Little Ted, was not allowed to be, so it stayed at home until her graduation.

Moving home on a number of occasions after the war resulted in the loss in transit of a larger bear called Big Ted, but thankfully Little Ted survived having had a couple of makeovers from the original red and white check madras cotton covering over 50 years ago.

Today, Little Ted has pride of place in the bedroom and is fondly admired (at a distance) by Joyce’s two grandchildren aged 10 and 11.