MUMS, dads and children at a Worcester school are joining forces to create the longest chain' of teddy bears the city has ever seen.

Springfield, an independent junior school in the heart of the city, is organising the event on Saturday, June 16, to raise funds for Worcester Snoezellen, a centre in St John's which helps sensory-deprived children The aim is to form a circle of teddies joining paws around the school - a Georgian building in Britannia Square - and entry is just £1 per teddy.

Springfield headmistress Marion Lloyd said: "Paws Around Springfield was organised as a mixture of fun and charity fund-raising.

"We hit on the idea because it seemed such an unusual way to help a good cause and for families, friends - and whoever else wants to join in - to have some fun too. Children young and old can bring their teddies along to the school from 10am and we are hoping to form the circle at around 10.30am.

"We would really like to have enough teddies to go round our lovely building and that would also raise as much money as we can for Snoezellen. There will be music and things to do - we just thought it was a great way of having some fun and raising some money without people having to commit a huge amount of time."

The event also coincides with the school's open morning, so visitors who wish to can also look around. The school's sports day will also take place during the afternoon.

Springfield is currently the junior school to the Alice Ottley School.

The Royal Grammar School, Worcester, will merge with the Alice Ottley School in September, and Springfield will continue to be a junior school feeding the newly-merged school.

Worcester Snoezellen provides people who have sensory and learning disabilities with specific relaxation and leisure facilities.

If you want to find out more about the Paws Around Springfield event contact the school on 01905 24999.