A primary school in County Durham has collected more than 450 teddy bears in just a week to send to Syrian children in refugee camps.

St Anne’s CE Primary School on Warwick Road, Bishop Auckland only started the campaign last Monday (September 14) and by Friday (September 25), the school’s 240 children had brought in toy bears of every description.

The school also received free transport from David Stephenson Haulage, who took the bears to York-based Company, Teddies 4 comfort Monday morning.

School Chaplain, Catherine Simpson, who began the campaign, said: “As a church school, we wanted to do something for those caught up in the crisis and we thought this was a lovely way for the children to respond without it being too upsetting for them.”

Ms Simpson added: “Some parents donated sacks full of cuddly toys to send to refugee camps. It’s been a big success.”