IF you go down to the hairdressers today you're in for a big surprise.

More than 150 multicoloured teddies, which have been knitted all over the country are waiting to be sent abroad for children living in eastern European war-torn countries.

The teddies are sent to Droitwich Inner Wheel who will send them to International Aid depots.

The teddies are then sent to countries such as Romania and are often accompanied with medical supplies.

Edwina Muckle, who owns Verity Hairdressing, in York Place, Barbourne, Worcester, got the teddy bear bug when client Honna Criag of Inner Wheel came in with one of the teddies she had made.

Mrs Muckle, who has two boys and runs a sewing group, made three herself and photocopied the pattern for clients.

"I thought it was a nice idea," she said.

"I have been knitting and sewing all my life.

"My clients started to knit the teddies and one lady got her daughter to knit a teddy.

"She was only nine."

Soon, word caught on and people who knew her clients from other parts of the country pulled out their knitting needles for charity.

Mrs Muckle's sewing club, known as the Cotton On Club, takes place from 9.30am to 1pm at her hairdressing salon every second Monday of the month.

For more details about the club, or to knit a teddy for charity call her on 01905 24444.