Merrythought teddies mark Paralympics

A company is helping to celebrate Shropshire's Olympic heritage by launching the London 2012 commemorative teddy bear for the Paralympic Games.

Merrythought, based in Ironbridge, has already launched a range of bears for the Olympic Games. One is called Wenlock, to honour the connections between the Olympics and Much Wenlock.

Now the London 2012 Paralympic Games Commemorative teddy bear has gone on sale today at www.london2012.com/shop It is a limited edition of only 2012 pieces.

A company spokesman said the toy 'is based on a Merrythought pattern from 1948, the year of the revolutionary Stoke Mandeville Games which are credited with inspiring the Paralympic Games we know today'.

Read the full story in the Shropshire Star.