Britain’s sole remaining teddy bear manufacturer is to open its doors to celebrate its 80th anniversary.

Merrythought, which is based in Telford, has been hand-making teddy bears since 1930 and is holding a party at its Ironbridge factory to commemorate the milestone.

The event is due to take place on July 10, allowing the public to explore the factory and enjoy the entertainment provided. The company is now the only business in the country still making traditional teddy bears while the rest of its competitors have moved their productions abroad.

Sarah Holmes, great granddaughter of one of the original founders Gordon Holmes, said: “It’s unique and incredible that such a small business has survived through the ups and downs, world wars and a recession. Hopefully we will be able to carry on going for another 80 years.”

She added: “Everyone has struggled and we’ve managed to weather the storm, however we have seen many of our competitors go under or start to import their products from abroad as a result of the recession.”

Originally based in Coalbrookdale, the firm currently makes around 16,000 teddy bears per year and has a small team of 25 staff.

Sarah is the fourth generation to join company since her great grandfather established it eighty years ago.

Every Merrythought teddy bear is handmade in England using mohair – the company originally diversified from a spinning mill in Yorkshire as the market for Mohair began to diminish.