An autistic three-year-old left distraught at the loss of her special teddy has had the smile put back on her face by a Good Samaritan who heard of her plight from hundreds of miles away.

Laurie-blu King, from Faversham, was with her aunt in a Sittingbourne park when she lost her beloved orangutan, Belsom, near Albany Park.

Her mum Deanna explained: "Laurie-blu was destroyed.

"Any normal child is distraught anyway when they lose their favourite teddy but as she has autism it's even worse.

"She was unable to sleep, it was so difficult to deal with."

Not knowing what else to do, the 28-year-old put an appeal on Facebook hoping someone could help.

She said: "It got more than 100 shares overnight. Lots and lots of people were offering similar teddy bears.

"However, I had to decline, I felt so guilty to say no.

"I was very grateful to everyone but because Belsom has weights in its hands, and Laurie-blu's autism is sensory-based, the only option was to get the exact same soft toy back."

After realising the likelihood of finding Belsom was slim, Deanna instead starting looking for a replacement.

However, Belsom was bought from Butlin's in Bognor Regis earlier this year – a gift shop more than 100 miles away.

Deanna said: "My mum put a post on the Butlin's communal page to see if we could get the number of the shop.

"Our plan was to see if we could get one posted out, but instead a lovely woman on holiday answered our pleas and brought one for us instead."

Vicki Gray was the lady who responded to the King family's social media post.

The 33-year-old was staying at the Bognor Regis resort with her two children, Isabella, eight, and Oliver, three, over the first weekend of December.

Vicki, who works at a pharmacy in the village of Sychdyn in North Wales, said: "We're regulars at Butlin's, it's my kids' favourite place in the entire world.

"We go quite often and there's a Facebook group called Butlin's in Bognor Regis that people can join and speak on.

"When the post was made by the little girl's grandmother, one of the members of staff tagged me in it and asked if there was anything I could do to help.

"I went into the toy shop to see what I could find and they actually only had orangutan left, so I just bought it."

The mum-of-two not only paid for the new Belsom teddy but also the postage, a special postcard and an extra present for Laurie-blu.

She said: "I don't want a penny back from them and when it turns up it's going to be a total surprise with all the added goodies.

"Belsom is also going back with a postcard from Billy and Bunny bear and a little present from them, well from me, saying thank you for letting Belsom come back to see them at Butlin's."

While on holiday Vicki sent pictures to Laurie-blu's mum of Belsom watching shows at the resort, hanging around on trees and even relaxing in playgrounds.

Deanna said: "My daughter is non-verbal, so she doesn't speak.

"So on the first night when Belsom was missing she had me up looking for him and walking around the house.

"Obviously, I knew it wasn't there, but she didn't understand, so it was quite frustrating.

"But after I showed her the pictures I think she kind of saw that he was on holiday."

It takes Vicki and her children 400 miles and five hours of driving to get to Butlin's.

And since purchasing the replacement Belsom, the soft toy has racked up his own mileage.

Travelling from the resort to the top of Wales and back to Kent, Belsom has commuted 550 miles.

Vicki finished: "That little Facebook group has actually made my little boy's life.

"He's gone through some horrific things this year and going to Butlin's is what brings my children so much joy, it's just so lovely. It's like a little community.

"My children are obsessed with the Skyline Gang performers, Misty and Dude, they absolutely idolise them."

"I'm just so glad I'm able to help somebody like people have helped me throughout the year.

"I'm just glad Belsom could be reunited with Laurie-blu and I hope she and her mum have a very merry Christmas."

Laurie-blu welcomed home her favourite toy on Wednesday, December 7.

Deanna finished: "I'm so overwhelmed but it all, Vicki is so kind-hearted."