A very rare antique German clown teddy bear is expected to fetch nearly £1,000 at auction.

Ashford antiques dealers Erna Hiscock and John Shepherd, are hoping to find a new home for the 90-year-old bear that was made by German company Hermann Eckstein and Co, in 1925.

The bear was originally presented to John Kiernan, the youngest patient at the Warrington Infirmary in 1928 and has since been passed through four generations of the same family and is on sale or return for £950.

Erna Hiscock said: “This type of German Clown Teddy Bear is very rare indeed and as a result is much sought after by collectors.

“It’s very unusual to have one with a history that you can trace back over so many years. .”

The teddy is being sold at the Antiques For Everyone Winter Fair, at the NEC Birmingham which starts today.

More information at www.antiquesforeveryone.co.uk