TEDDIES and toys have been donated to help children feel less anxious about hospital visits.

Bolton’s children’s services staff will be going to local schools to explain what is involved in a trip to hospital, with the help of soft toys. The Well Teddy Clinic scheme has been helped by donations of health-themed toys and books from local Hindu band Ram Dhoon Bhajan Mandal.

Play specialist Kerry Mulroney said: “We know that children are far less stressed when they come into hospital if they already know a bit about what it might be like and who will be looking after them. Thanks to this lovely gift we are going to be able to restart the programme.”

The scheme will be running fully from September.