A kind-hearted motorist has launched a bid to reunite a Maidstone teddy bear with its owner after spotting it on a dual carriageway.

Grandad Mike Thomas was on his way to visit a friend when he rescued the crimson-haired children's toy in the middle of the A131 near Braintree on Tuesday, March 28.

"I did stop my car in a rather perilous position and my wife wasn't impressed with me," the 60-year-old said. "It was important. This little bear means an awful lot to someone."

The former Met Police officer from Coggeshall is determined to see to bear back in the arms of its owner and has launched his own investigation and an appeal on Facebook.

In short order, the dad-of-three discovered it had been bought at Build-A-Bear in Fremlin Walk, Maidstone after sharing the barcode with the firm's head office.

According to information provided by the company, the bear which is called Viv, is owned by someone with the initials LP.

Mr Thomas's Facebook post has shared more than 3,500 times with hundreds of people leaving messages of support. He said he hopes the owner's parents will soon be in touch.

The part-time debt counsellor said: "There is a 95% chance the owner lives in Maidstone.

"It is important for the little girl who had it to prove to her if you have lost something you shouldn't give up."