DAME Judi Dench’s childhood teddy bear has joined the world’s largest collection of famous teddy bears on show at a North Yorkshire historic home.

“Bear” - who belonged to the York born star - is now part of broadcaster Gyles Brandreth’s collection which is on permanent loan to the Newby Hall Charitable Trust.

Dame Judi said: “Bear was my beloved childhood companion and went everywhere with me. He’s a little careworn after all this time but very excited to be going back to Yorkshire – I was brought up in York – and he’s been missing that part of the country.

She added: “I’ve been involved with Brandreth Bears for more than 20 years now in my capacity as artistic director of the Royal Shakesbeare Company. Our productions have included King Bear, MacBear and the Merry Bears of Windsor. Gyles wants us to put on Romeo and Paddington but I’m not sure about that!”

The teddy is holidaying in Yorkshire this summer, along with another new arrival belonging to actor and star of many West End productions, Thelma Ruby – whose bear is an original 1958 Sooty presented to her by Harry Corbett himself after she starred with him at the Leeds City Varieties.

They were welcomed to Newby Hall by Gyles when he visited this week to open the new library scene tableau, specially commissioned for Newby’s Bear House.

Gyles said that with teddy bears enjoying popularity for more then a century, he was delighted to see them continue to attract “arctophiles” to the historic home near Ripon.

“These bears are my pride and joy, a life time’s collection, and I am honoured that people like Dame Judi want their bears to be a part of it.”

Newby Hall owner Richard Compton said the past year has seen unprecedented success for the “Bear House”.

“It is one of the most popular attractions at Newby and never fails to put a smile on the faces of our visitors whatever their age. We would like to thank everyone who has donated a bear to the collection and to Gyles for his continued support.”