IF you go down to the woods in Crossgates today you're sure of a pleasant surprise.

In this uncertain time of lockdown, a local businessman has made sure youngsters visiting the Taft have the bear necessities – 13 of them in fact.

Duncan Collier, who lives in the village, has helped create a Teddy Bears Picnic and Storytelling area in Crossgates Community Woodlands.

Woodlands treasurer, Maureen Cuthbertson, explained: "This recent feature has been incorporated into the woodlands area, right next to where you will find the Fairy Dell, the Wishing Well along with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs."

She said she had approached Duncan about creating the child-friendly area last year and, having already purchased 12 small bears, he had asked the committee to "leave this with him".

The committee were happy to do so as Maureen continued: "Duncan admitted that since walking the woods regularly with his young son, he envisaged a similar idea in the same area.

"After handing over the smaller bears we never saw them again until they were securely ensconced in place.

"Turns out to be one of the best decisions we have ever made.

"In addition to not only creating the agreed feature, the committee were further surprised by the unexpected arrival of a large wooden bear carving, along with a large natural stone bench seat and a large picnic table to complete and set the scene."

She said everyone visiting the Taft were "full of enthusiasm and appreciation" for the new additions.

Maureen added: "Crossgates Community Woodlands Committee would like to record our thanks on behalf of the committee and those living in the communities surrounding the woodlands area,

to Duncan, and his assistants Neil and Andy, for taking on this project and helping us create this fabulous feature, with these further unexpected additions.

"I am sure they themselves are proud of what they have created here and we thank them for giving their time and their expertise.

This project has turned out even better than we, the committee, could have ever expected and we believe everyone involved should now please take a bow.

"Thank you all so much."