A GLOBETROTTING teddy bear is back in the North-East after helping the war effort in Iraq.

Diddy, the diminutive mascot of Dodmire Infants School in Darlington, travelled to the Gulf with British troops to keep up morale during the recent conflict.

The intrepid teddy stowed away with soldier Dougie Icke, father of Dodmire pupils Joseph and Lucy, when he was posted to the Gulf in February.

He spent most of his time in the deserts of North Kuwait and then the town of Umm Qasr, in Iraq.

While he was there, Diddy met television war correspondent Kate Adie, who was only too happy to pose for a picture with him.

He also visited one of Saddam Hussein's palaces, had his picture taken in front of HMS Sir Galahad and mixed with Iraqi children. He even found time to send a letter back to school.

Staff at Dodmire encourage parents to take Diddy, and his larger friend Doddy, with them whenever they go on holiday and their adventures are used to teach the children about different countries of the world.

Countries they have visited during the past few years include the US, Australia, Japan, France and Spain.

Dodmire headteacher Maureen Dixon said: "Mr Icke always said that if he went anywhere, he would take Doddy.

"But Doddy was on holiday at the time, so he had to take Diddy. He said that was better because he could stick him in his side pocket."

She added: "He slept with him and went everywhere with him. They were roughing it and sleeping inside the back of a lorry that was full equipment they needed for the war.

"There were a lot of sandstorms during the night, so Diddy was always covered in sand in the mornings.

"The soldiers had to dig holes in the sand and every time there was a siren they had to jump into it - they even had a special place in the holes for Diddy."

Mrs Dixon did not tell the children where Diddy was in case they became worried about him.

But now he is back safe and well, and she is preparing a display of photographs for the children and visitors to the school.