Teddy bear hospital with 'surgery waiting list'

Lelsey Dunn in her bear hospital with Bertie - who she says is a "rather naughty" bear

A "hospital" for teddy bears in need of a little TLC has been "swamped" with inquiries for its surgery service, with beloved toys arriving from as far away as California.

The Shed Suffolk in Sproughton also serves as a bear orphanage, which tries to find a "fur-ever" home for pre-loved teddies.

Lesley Dunn said they offered a lifeline to wilted, threadbare, blind and broken bears so "they can continue their lives as best friends to their owners".

Hospital "matron" Mrs Dunn said people liked to hand on teddies - with repairs prompted by emotional attachment.

Mrs Dunn said they currently had 80 bears in the workshop and the same number at home awaiting repairs.

"She [the owner] wanted his sight restoring, so she's chosen us and I'm so thrilled," she said of the bear coming from California, USA.

The bear "hospital" carries all the necessary equipment to help poorly bears

The surgery or stitching work is carried out with the help of her husband, Ken.

"He's an upholsterer and he's very good at stitching joints - maybe a hip joint, or an arm that's missing," she explained.

"As matron, if anyone is coming as an in-patient I check them in, check them over, and they come home with me.

"The surgery is usually done in the evening or at a weekend - but they have to be nil-by-mouth beforehand."

Mrs Dunn said of her hospital: "It's great fun, we have a laugh, we have a little cry sometimes when they come in in a terrible state.

"Some of the stories that people have of their childhood bears makes it quite emotional really, because they're so attached."

Like many hospitals, this one is no different and has a waiting list, with teddies having to wait eight weeks for surgery.

According to Mrs Dunn, the bears also have different facial expressions and "personalities".

"Some of them are a bit fed-up," she said.

"Some are a bit scared, because they're orphans, and many have come from Doctor Bear-nardoes, so they're a bit bewildered, all looking for new paw-rents."