A COLLECTION of teddy bears have been welcomed to their new home.

The Wareham Bears, a collection of dressed teddies set in dioramas, has moved to Wimborne Model Town, a a 1/10th scale model town with gardens and facilities in the heart of Wimborne.

The bears, who were created by enthusiast Mary Hildesely and first exhibited at her Wareham shop in 1981, needed rehoming after their previous home at The Blue Pool closed down last summer.

Wimborne Model Town trustees have offered the bears a permanent home at the charity attraction.

A spokesman said: "We are delighted to announce the arrival of our new furry friends and are busy providing them with the bare necessities to make them feel at home.

"They are going to make a wonderful addition to our offering this year."

The volunteer run visitor attraction reopens to the public on March 27.

For more information on the Wareham Bears, visit www.thewarehambears.co.uk/