World War Two tattered teddy restored for Christmas

Graham Windsor said being reunited with his fixed bear was "one of the best Christmas presents"

A teddy bear that provided comfort to its owner during World War Two air raids has been given a new lease of life in time for Christmas.

The bear, Big Ted, was a gift to 87-year-old Graham Windsor from Dorchester in 1939.

Thread-bare, lacking in stuffing and missing an arm the treasured ted took a specialist two weeks to restore.

Mr Windsor said it was "absolutely splendid" to see the 80-year-old bear back to its former glory.

He said: "My first recollections of having my teddy bear was back in 1939.

"The war was in full pelt. We were being bombed all the time for about two or three years and I used to take the bear with me as comfort."

Sam Peacefullday spent two weeks restoring the bear for Mr Windsor

Sam Peacefullday who restored the bear for Mr Windsor as an early Christmas gift from his wife relined the bear's body, but had to patch his head as the original material was too thin.

A small box inside the bear which made him growl was replaced and an arm came from a donor bear.

After reuniting the bear with Mr Windsor, she said: "To see that joy was absolutely priceless. What a lucky lady I am to have such a lovely job."

The couple said the bear which would sit by the tree over Christmas was "one of the best Christmas presents we've had".

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