A police force has teamed up with a charity to give teddy bears to young children at the scenes of crimes and traumatic incidents.

Police in Stratford-upon-Avon are working with Teddies for Tragedies, a voluntary organisation which distributes the hand-made toys to youngsters in stressful situations around the world.

Officers in Stratford are now carrying the teddies in their patrol cars and on their bicycles to hand out to children after events such as road accidents and incidents of domestic violence or burglaries where their toys may been been stolen.

Joan Hodges, local co-ordinator for the charity, said: "These teddies are sent all over the world, helping cheer children up and giving them hope.

"We thought it would be a good idea for our local police to carry them in their cars to give to young children at the scene of incidents."

PC Nicholas Stephen's said: "We hope these teddies will give comfort and solace to young children and in turn make it easier for officers to deal with the incident."