Simmons Park visitors were certainly in for a big suprise this Easter as the Pavilion Cafe hosted its first Teddy Bears’ Picnic.

Staged as part of Okehampton sports charity OCRA’s holiday activities, the picnic offered a full family afternoon starting with a teddy trail in the park, multi-sports on the cricket pitch and the picnic itself outdoors in the spring sunshine, with some special guests.

The best loved bear competition was judged by a very huggable, life-sized bear, where the contestants included a snake, several monkeys, a unicorn, pups, dogs and a host of teddies.

The afternoon rounded off with a dance-along with impressive life-sized characters Marshal, Chase and Skye from the popular TV show PAW Patrol, joined by toddlers, children, parents and cafe staff for a little Cha-Cha Slide and other hits to work off delicious teddy pizza and rainbow cake.

Visitors to the event are pictured right with the life-sized bear.