MARMALADE sandwiches were passed round when Paddington bear attended the teddies' tea party at Almeley Primary School last week.

The party was to celebrate the opening of the new safe play area for the early years' children. The site was opened by members of Almeley's Millennium Committee, who initially funded the project.

Parents and friends all lent a hand with the construction of the area, including local builder Norman Morris who constructed the shelter, and Mark Newton who built the raised decking.

Don and Darren Coates created a semi-detached house and the pencil fence was the result of Mark Jones' handiwork.