Teddies dodged scaffolding when they were parachuted off a church tower in Bingham on Sunday.

Almost 40 soft toys were dropped from the top of St Mary and All Saints’ Church at an annual community event to raise money for Families’ Activity Breaks.

The charity provides activity camps for children who lost parents in the Afghanistan conflict.

A prize was given for the Teddy that travelled the furthest.

Among the soft toys was Scruff the dog - which was wearing a dress.

Owner Mr Chris Carter, of Bingham, said: “Scruff got stuck last year when he jumped. He was better behaved this year.”

Hannah Vallance, 14, of Long Acre, Bingham, was there to cheer on her bear, which had a note around its neck saying ‘been practising'.

Hannah’s mum, Mrs Kath Vallance, 47, said: “Last year we did a Teddy dressed as a spaceman but we realised the less clothes the Teddy has on the quicker it goes, so this year we put bandages on the soft toy."

Organiser Mr Philip Bacon, said: “I have seen some fantastic Teddies and many others soft toys this year. It has been a lot of fun.

“The last time we did it, we had about 40 Teddies and the event keeps on growing.

“Last year we had to rescue one out of a tree.”