PEOPLE in Worcestershire and Herefordshire have been raiding their toy boxes to help bring some cheer to children in a poverty-stricken area of Romania.

They have been making child's play of a target by the Diocese of Hereford to collect 500 teddy bears for youngsters in a Romanian village.

The bear-raising campaign has been organised by the diocese's Council For Social Responsibility, at the request of the Hope Carriers Trust, and projects officer Shelagh Callagan said: "We are pretty much on target. Worcester-shire people have been very supportive."

The deadline for donating teddies is this coming weekend, Sunday, November 20 and the Bishop of Hereford, The Rt Rev Anthony Priddis, is due to bless the 500 furry toys in the Great Hall at the Bishop's Palace, Hereford, before their journey to Romania on Friday, Nov-ember 25.

Shelagh added that they were trying to contact a woman who delivered two teddies to their offices. "They looked very old so we sent them across to the museum and we think they are worth something. If we cannot find this woman we'll probably put them into an auction."

To donate a teddy, call Shelagh on 01432 373310.

New and second-hand teddies, with at least five years to go before retirement, can still be donated by calling Shelagh on 01432 373310 or e-mailing s.callaghan@hereford.anglican.org. Cash to buy bears will also be accepted.