A YOUNG girl being treated in the emergency department at Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, was surprised to be presented with a special teddy bear.

It was the 5,000 cuddly ted given to child patients in the department since 2006 as part of the Teddies for Loving Care (TLC) charity since 2006.

Adrian Halliwell, area co-ordinator for TLC, which is organised by the Freemasons, said: “On average we deliver about 50 to 80 teddies per month for children in distress.

“I have received several comments from parents, who have found how calming the teddies are when their children have been going through difficult times in the hospital.

“Likewise the staff in all areas of the hospital find the teddies very helpful for soothing the child, which allows them to carry out the treatment more efficiently.”