CUDDLY teddy bears are keeping Andover firefighters company as the public support a plea to help young fire victims.

Hampshire Red Cross has a fire victim support vehicle which attends house fires with the fire and rescue service to give advice to adults and comfort to children who mostly need a toy to cuddle when they are upset. The fire station in London Street is helping with the toy collection and has been overwhelmed by the response. "A lot of these teddies would not be required if people had fitted detectors in their homes," said a spokesman.