Paddington takes a seat in Penrith

Paddington received a warm welcome to Little Dockray, Penrith by Stainton School who were all delighted to take part in the official launch of the national Paddington Visits trail - singing the 'Marmalade song' to welcome the famous bear to town.

The statue is one of 23 that have been installed on benches stretching from John O’Groats to Land's End, with Penrith being the only place in Cumbria to host a statue.

Jane Hasell-McCosh, the founder of the Dalemain World Marmalade Awards and Festival, introduced the school children and said a few words before the bear was unveiled.

Paddington Visits have launched ahead of the bear’s latest cinematic outing, Paddington in Peru, in UK and Ireland cinemas November 8 2024.

Darren Broad, chair of Penrith BID, said: “We are delighted that Penrith has been chosen to be one of only 23 locations across the UK for a Paddington Statue as part of the Paddington Visits trail ahead of the release of Paddington in Peru in cinemas later this year.

"We hope that visitors and residents alike will delight in finding him in Little Dockray and will enjoy taking a moment a moment to sit beside him, perhaps even take a photograph or two.