CLAIRE Handley went on a teddy bear's picnic as her 30th birthday surprise.

Fiance Kevin Ellison, from Grange Park, had secretly arranged for Claire to 'adopt' a limited edition cuddly Teddy Bear from the Thatto Heath-based Teddy Bear Orphanage.

The 'orphanage' in Nutgrove Road is owned and run by local husband and wife, Vincent and Lyn-Louise Morris. Nearly all the teddy bear are limited edition toys which have been hand-made.

Claire, manager of the Bolton branch of AMF Bowl, told the Star: "I have collected teddy bears ever since I can remember and already own one collectable bear. I was absolutely gobsmacked when Kevin brought me here. It's amazing -- just wall-to-wall teddy bears. Choosing one was almost impossible."

Owner Vincent, who still has his own childhood teddy bear, added: "At any one time, we can have about 950 bears here and all have their own names.

"Their faces are full of character and some date back 50 or 60 years.

"Obviously they are not just toys but we always make sure that whoever adopts a bear can guarantee it is going to a loving home."

Claire finally chose George, the last in a series of just four bears made by UK designer Denise Griffiths.