Kind-hearted Cumbrians knit 300 'Bobbie Buddies' to comfort children in distress

Cumbria's knitters have put their needles and wool to work creating more than 300 'Bobbie Buddies' for distressed children.

Earlier this year the county's police force launched a scheme to keep teddy bears in their vehicles so they'd be close at hand to comfort children caught in upsetting situations.

Knitters were asked to download a pattern from the force's website and drop off completed buddies at police stations.

The scheme was initially set up in north Cumbria but police say it has been so successful it's being rolled out across the whole of the county.

Completed 'Bobbie Buddies' can be dropped off at any police station in Cumbria and the pattern is available to download by clicking here.