AWARD-winning artist Grayson Perry’s teddy bear has sparked a trend and now almost 100 teddy bears have been created to take part in a giant game of hide and seek.

Art and design students at York College have been busy making the bears ahead of the cross-dressing, Turner Prize-winning artist and ceramicist's visit to the city next Thursday – with his own childhood bear Alan Measles in tow.

The bear features in much of Grayson’s work and Helen Ventress, head of division for art and design at the college, said that bears had been made from all kinds of material to honour his visit.

She said: “I have seen bears made from wooden blocks, ceramics, recycled items, wire, metal, fabric and even an extraordinary glass bear.

“For our students to have an opportunity to work alongside Turner Prize-winning artist Grayson Perry, possibly have tea with him and just generally be involved in such a brilliant project really hits the spot.”

The bears will be scattered around the Yorkshire Museum and Gardens for people to spot as part of the Museums at Night event after the museum won a national competition to host the artist after 5,500 people voted for it.

Grayson will officially open the museum for the evening at 5.30pm and guests will also be able to try their hand at making clay bears, costumes and dresses for the teddies, face painting and the 'catch a salmon' game.

The aim of Museums at Night is to stage events at local museums around the country after hours when they are normally closed, to encourage a different audience to visit.

The York Observatory will also be open for guests to visit with their bears and are invited to bring sandwiches for a real teddy bears’ picnic.