A TRADITIONAL teddy bear maker will be holding tea and coffee mornings and offering a chance for people to take a look at her collection of the hand crafted toys in support of Arthritis Research UK.

Jean Jephcott, who lives in Offenham, is hoping people will come along and take a look at the huge range of teddy bears, which she makes herself, and perhaps even adopt a bear, with the money going to the charity.

She said: "It's a chance for people to have a cuddle with the teddy bears, and maybe adopt one, but there is no obligation to do that. They are all unique as I never make two the same. They are characters.

"There will be at least 60 on display. They are all jointed bears. I've been doing this for 17 years now, I have even been invited to Blenheim Palace.

"I give the bears to many different charities, it's not for profit that I make them. That all goes to charity.

"I have arthritis myself and making the bears helps my hands. They are very bad but if I didn't keep active with the sewing they would be almost immobile by now."

To go along to one of the events, being held on Tuesday, April 14, Wednesday, April 15 and Saturday, April 18, people should call 01386 48217 or email jean@maypolebears.co.uk to confirm which day they would like to visit the bears.

For more information visit maypolebears.co.uk.