A LITTLE girl from the North-East is to be reunited with her favourite toy after a social media appeal was launched by the woman who found it.

Phoebe Simpson, from Newcastle, lost Roar the lion after she left it on a train during a surprise trip to London.

But technology savvy Lauren Bishop Vranch found Roar, who she thought was a teddy bear, on the train and posted a picture urging her followers to help trace the owner.

She wrote: “Found this well loved little dude on an East Coast train at Kings Cross - let's find the owner, Twitter!”

Ms Vranch, who was on her way to Newcastle when she found the toy, said she would hand it into lost property in King Cross Station on her return to London the next day.

She added: “Prior to his return to the safety of Kings Cross, little bear will be having some adventures in Newcastle.”

Ms Vranch then posted a series of pictures showing the cuddly toy in a number of different settings throughout Newcastle, as she took it along for an evening out in the city.

The tweets included: “Little bear has found a cosy pub with a fire and a Christmas tree. Think he misses home tho.”

And: “Bear has found his way backstage at Northern Stage Newcastle. He's going to see some panto. Lucky bear.”

News of the appeal soon made its way to Phoebe’s father who was able to get in touch with Ms Vranch and claim the lost bear.

Writing on Facebook, where the appeal was featured on the ‘ Spotted on a train’ page, he said: “Wow the power of the internet and kind folk - that’s my daughter Phoebe’s bear - she has been in tears all weekend and I have just shown her the picture and she is over the moon. Thank you all so much!”