A PRESTON toy maker has teamed up with singing star Sir Cliff Richard to produce a line of teddy bears.

Sir Cliff has worked with Gund (UK) Ltd, based in Walton Summit, to produce a range of 12 bears for the Cliff Richard Collection.

The singing star, who is more famous for songs like Summer Holiday and Living Doll, approached the firm after deciding to put down his microphone for a while and branch out into the toy market.

Mike Ganley, managing director at Gund, said: "His sister was a teddy bear collector and he got involved in teddy bears.

"There was a particular design he liked, so they approached us to make them!"

When the bears hit the streets next year, they will be sold through specialist toy shops for around £50 to £120.

Gund, who have had an office in Walton Summit for about five years, are part of an 104-year-old American family business.

Throughout the design process Sir Cliff was kept informed and pointed out any changes he wanted to make.

Now the firm has come up with a set of prototypes for the 12 bears including Fred Jasper, Mortimer and Spike designed by Sheffield-based designer Sue Johnson. The finished bears will be made from Mohair.

For Mike, the work was a chance to reunite with Sir Cliff from his previous job in the showbiz world.

He said: "I never met him because I had to leave the prototypes for him to see. He looked at them and when I went back to see the changes, he was over in Nashville recording!

"I have met him on a few occasions, though. He won't remember a lot of the times, but I originally met him when I launched Mike Reid's Pop Quiz programme.

"We had a launch party and Cliff was the star guest."

Gund already make the Winnie-the-Pooh merchandise and are now starting on a range of Roald Dahl-themed toys. Recently, the firm were in talks to make a range of toys with a mystery supermodel, but the deal fell through.

The new Cliff Richard Collection bears should hit the streets early next year.