Avon Fire & Rescue Service are to hand out trauma teddies to children involved in upsetting incidents.

Two hundred teddies will be spread out across the Service, with Thornbury Fire Station among the stations taking part.

The cuddly crew will then be handed out to children who are distressed or in need of reassurance and emotional support.

Knowle Townswomen's Guild in Bristol has knitted the teddies.

Member Stella Tratt said: “We are delighted that Avon Fire and Rescue Service has accepted our offer to provide them with trauma teddies.

“I have distributed the knitting pattern to all the Townswomen’s Guilds in the Avon area and, while there is still a need, we will carry on knitting!”

Darren Clasper, risk reduction watch manager with the fire service, said: “We are absolutely delighted that this group of extraordinary women have come together to provide these trauma teddies.

“We often attend upsetting emergency incidents and we see children in distress who don’t understand what is happening and why they are there.

“As a Service, we understand how scary these experiences can be so any small act of comfort, such as a teddy, will go a long way.

“This gives us an opportunity to engage with children and lessen the impact of a situation. For that, we cannot thank the Knowle Townswomen’s Guild enough.”

Each fire engine will carry at least two bears at any one time so they can be gifted to children in need, from those at a fire, road traffic collision or simply locked in a bathroom.

The remainder of the bears will be handed out in schools.