AN army of cuddly bears is seeking new names and homes.

Marie Curie Cancer Care, hit to the tune of £150,000 due to events being cancelled through foot and mouth, is using the bears to fight back.

Bears will be placed in town centre shops, banks, pubs and offices, and it will cost £1 to name them. Each bear has 100 possible names, and when these are all sold, the identity will be revealed.

Anyone who can find a home for a bear to help with fund raising should ring the charity on 0161 255 2805.