A TEDDY bear that was once owned by a boy with a terminal illness in the 1930s is to be sold to raise funds for a Worcester children's hospice.

Acorns, on Bath Road, is hoping the bear will be snapped up by a collector to raise money to support other children with serious illnesses it looks after.

The bear was a beloved toy of a six-year-old boy who lived at Westington Court, near Leominster, Herefordshire.

His carer was Ellen Passey, who was employed to help with his care until he died in 1935. After the boy's death, she was given the bear as a keepsake.

When she died in 2004 at the age of 93, it was given to her nephew Tony Tribe and his wife Dorothy who live in Colwall, near Malvern.

The bear has now been donated to Acorns, who hope it will be of interest to a collector.

It is thought the bear dates back to the late 1920's. It is 13 inches long and has movable arms and legs, with felt patches on its paws and a distinctive tall forehead.

Mr Tribe said: "We're not sure how much the bear is worth, but a collector or someone with an interest in the history of teddy bears would know.

"Apparently, people who collect bears like to know the background and the story that goes with the bear. We would be delighted to help out with any enquiries as best we can."

Sophie James, Acorns community fund-raiser, added: "It is wonderful to have such a lovely old teddy bear become available to us. This bear helped to comfort a young life-limited local boy, it would be a wonderful thing if it could now be sold to help the life-limited children living in the Three Counties today."

Anyone who want more information about the teddy bear can contact the Acorns fund-raising team on 01905 761220.