A UNUSUAL forecast will see it rain teddy bears in Pershore on Bank Holiday Monday.

More than 200 teddy bears will parachute or zip-wire from the high tower at Pershore Abbey on Monday, August 31.

For the past five years the event has attracted hundreds of children and adults alike who watch parachuting teddy bears jump from the great height inside the tower as part of the Pershore Plum Festival.

Others can send their favourite teds zooming down a zip-wire outside the Abbey.

Colin Reeves, event organiser, said it's always a "fantastic event".

"The event has built up over the years and it's always hilarious to watch," he said.

"Some teddies float down gently to the ground, others hurtle down. Some catch on parts of the Abbey. It's very funny to watch.

"The children love it and they all scream as they come down.

"We hold the parachuting event inside the Abbey because in the past we've had incidents where we held it outside and the wind has blown the teddies in to the trees. The zip-wire is held outside though so we are hoping for nice weather.

"The event is so big that we've had other churches around the county holding their own parachuting teddy event, but we certainly have the biggest tower — measuring 100ft — to launch them from.

"We really hope people will come along and join us on the day. People just need to turn up. It helps if they bring their own parachute, although there will be a few available on the day."

Other teddy-related events will also be taking place throughout the festival.

A Teddy Bears’ Picnic runs from midday until 2pm on Sunday, August 30 beside the Pershore Abbey Park bandstand, and this is followed by a Teddy Parade to the Abbey.

Teddy lovers of all ages can then join in the Teddies Praise Service at 2.30pm.

Then on Monday during the Plum Fayre, there will be a Teddy Stall and a competition with a dressed teddy as the prize.