Exclusive by Keyan Milanian

A teddy bears picnic went ahead without a vital ingredient - teddies - amid fears they could spread swine flu.

The event was due to take place at Wigmore Library, Gillingham, but because not all the youngsters remembered to bring their own teddies staff decided to cancel the event and have a read and rhyme session instead.

Guidelines on swine flu from the Department of Children, Schools and Families issued to children’s groups several weeks ago states sharing cuddly toys should be avoided to prevent spreading the virus.

A leaflet –Planning for a human influenza pandemic – was sent to all children’s centres via Medway Council.

It reads: “Discourage the sharing of pencils, crayons and pens during a pandemic.

“Encourage the wiping and cleaning of hands and objects when passing round objects like musical instruments or toys.

“Because of the difficulty in cleaning soft toys adequately, remove communal soft toys.”

A spokesman for the council said that because many of the 35 children aged 18 months to four years did not have their own teddies it would be best to stick to the guidelines and scrap the idea altogether.

She said: “We encourage all children to enjoy their playtime and hold numerous fun activities for young people across our sites.

“Friday’s picnic had to be changed after the children who came along to the event didn’t bring their own teddy bears and due to warnings of a possible second wave of pandemic flu this autumn, an alternative event was offered to minimise the possible risk of infection.”

Dad Mike Griffiths, from Maidstone Road, Rochester, whose daughter Izzy refuses to leave her teddy on its own, has called the move “ridiculous”.

He said: “I think children carrying or passing germs via teddy bears is probably the least likely way of them passing diseases.

“To think what the personal habits of children are like and the fact they have no concept of personal space; we might as well ban children from being in the same rooms together, it is ridiculous.

“If Izzy was told she couldn’t take Teddy to a teddy bears’ picnic she wouldn’t go, everywhere she goes, Teddy goes.”

But leader of the council and ward councillor for Hempstead and Wigmore Rodney Chambers said: “Having just come back from America where there are swine flu signs everywhere saying you cannot do things, I can only presume whoever was doing this event was acting on health advice.

“In situations like this you are damned if you do and damned if you don’t.”

Did you take your child to the picnic on Friday? What do you think of the decision to cancel the picnic? Call the newsroom on 01634 227803 or leave us a comment below.