CRAFTERS have waved farewell to their hand-made teddy bears as they set sail on an adventure on the high seas.

The Craft and Chatter group organised a teddy bears’ picnic at the Milton Rooms in Malton to send the knitted toys on their way.

The group decided to get behind the Yarndale Festival’s Creative Community Project, which involves making teddy bears for the Mercy’s Ship, a charity which supplies onboard hospital care and training in the poorest parts of the world.

Diana Morgan, founder of Craft and Chatter, said: “It is a wonderful idea and the group really wanted to get behind it.

“We have created over a dozen bears to be sent in support of the appeal - each child treated is given a bear as an expression of love as they go through their trials.

“The thought that a little bit of love is going from us to these children who are going through so much is heart-warming.”

Teddy bears will be gathered from around the country and displayed at this year’s festival.

The Craft and Chatters meet every Wednesday, from 1pm to 3pm, at the Milton Rooms in Malton. Everyone is welcome to join the group.