Teddy bears on board fire engines to comfort distressed children

Up to 450 trauma teddies will be deployed in the borough's fire engines Credit: LFB

Firefighters in one London borough have been issued hundreds of teddy bears to comfort distressed children.

Fire crews in Hillingdon have been handed over 450 so-called "trauma teddies" to hand to youngsters caught up in upsetting or traumatic incidents.

Up to four of the teddies will accompany firefighters inside their engines, London Fire Brigade (LGB) announced.

LFB enlisted the help of the Women's Institute to knit the bears, with different patterns for boys and girls.

The bears will make their first appearance at Hillingdon fire station on August 10 for an initial period of three months.