GAZETTE & HERALD: A cuddly teddy bear has been elected vice chairman of the Chippenham and District Round Table for the coming year.

Known as George T Bear, the mascot has been with the Round Table since the 1980s when he was donated by Hofmeister lager as part of a publicity and sponsorship campaign.

Round Table spokes-man Huw Thomas said: "George has been involved with Chippenham Round Table longer than anyone in our current membership.

"We therefore thought that he should do his turn as vice chairman this year and next year as chairman. He did celebrate his election a bit though, and was like a bear with a sore head the following morning. "

This year's chairman is Neil Dixon from Pewsham and the elected president Brett Conway of Stanton St Quintin.