A NATIONAL charity is selling teddy bears in Colchester town centre today as part of Childhood Day.

The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) will be selling bears in Culver Square shopping centre for £8 each to raise money for the charity, which works with schools, families, and therapeutic services to help protect children from abuse.

A national event organised by the NSPCC, Childhood Day intends to bring people together and highlight the importance of protecting children.

Each of the exclusive collection of bears has been provided courtesy of the Build a Bear Workshop, and is available with an NSPCC decoration.

Chairwoman of the Colchester NSPCC Business Group, Katie Skingle, said: “We are delighted to be hosting this NSPCC event in Colchester city centre to mark Childhood Day.

“Our childhood is such a precious time for all of us and forms the foundation of who we become as adults.

“Everyone should have the right to a safe and happy childhood and that is why the work of NSPCC is so important.

“We can’t wait to share the NSPCC’s unique Teddy Bears with the people of Colchester.”