CHILDREN'S favourite Paddington Bear is celebrating his birthday and he wants Preston youngsters to join in the fun.

The cuddly character has teamed up with Chewits sweets to ask you to support Action Research when it brings competitions and games to St George's Shopping Centre on June 25.

Bring your teddy bear along to the stall and you could receive a sticker and a pack of sweets - and help raise money for the medical research charity.

And as an extra treat, the Citizen has ten Chewits rucksacks of goodies, each worth £10, to give away to readers.

All you have to do is draw or paint your favourite bear - it could be Paddington, Winnie the Pooh, Rupert or your very own teddy. Send your picture with your name, address and age to: Chewits comp, Preston Citizen, 3 Winckley Court, Chapel Street, Preston, PR1 3JJ. The winners will be chosen after the closing date of June 27.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.