Thousands of people of all ages helped raise money this week in celebration of Ted’s Biggest Ever Day Out to raise money for a new premature baby unit at the Royal United Hospital in Bath.

Children and adults across the county dug out their favourite teddy bear and paid £1 on Friday, to take part in the annual fundraiser.

Priestley School, in Calne, contributed more than £150 for the Space To Grow Campaign that aims to raise £4.7 million for a new, larger neonatal intensive care unit for premature babies.

Head teacher Andrew Ballard was thrilled. He said: “It was a fantastic day, the children thoroughly enjoyed it and we have raised money for the appeal at the same time. The children brought in homemade cakes for the cake stall and all of the pupils brought their teddies in and paid a pound.”

At Potterne, near Devizes, the Brightsparks pre-school raised £22 when they had a day of celebrations on Friday.

They had a teddy bears’ picnic, fancy dress competition, guess the name of bear competition and even a birthday party.

Play leader Anne Hosburn said: “We had a lovely day, all of the children dressed up.

“We raise what we can for charity and support the NICU appeal and we will be raising money for them again because we think it is a great cause.”

The money raised at the pre-school came from the 14 children who attended the party and 25p for every guess of the teddy’s name. The winner of the competition won a small teddy and the best dressed child won a cuddly cow soft toy.

Mansion House Pre-school in Corsham also had a fun day with a teddy bears’ picnic while Charter Primary School, in Chippenham went into teddy mad with loads of activities including a teddy treasure hunt during the afternoon.

Other organisations which took part in the event include the PHAB Club in Calne, Woolworths in Chippenham and Corsham Computer Centre as well as many other schools, nurseries and organisations.