A FURRY teddy bear became the only cuddly toy in the world to be awarded a coveted Blue Peter badge a decade ago.

The stunt was a ploy by garden maintenance workers to gain recognition for their boss, who used the bear to help raise thousands of pounds for terminally-ill kids.

They contacted telly bosses to ask if the popular children’s programme would honour Sandy Smith and his stuffed toy, Robbie the Cub.

But they got a shock when they received a reply to say that, because the application for a badge was in Robbie’s name, and not Mr Smith, they had to give it to the teddy bear.

Delighted business owner Sandy, from AMA Garden Maintenance & Landscaping, said at the time: “I am glad that Robbie the Cub got this badge.

“They sent him a special cloth one to go with his fur.

“I hit upon the idea for a mascot in February and, shortly after, Robbie was born.

“Kids love him and he has helped us raise more than £6,500 for charity.

“Robbie the Cub is used for promoting the work we do for the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland, which we have been doing since 2002.

“He is the only mascot of any company in the world to have been awarded a Blue Peter badge.”

Sandy, from Kilmacolm, also revealed how Robbie’s achievement had some celebrity endorsement. 

“He has his own Bebo site and Donny Osmond has joined it as a friend,” said Sandy.

“I decided to buy Robbie a Cub’s uniform because I remember being in the Cub Scouts and all the good charity work I did with them.”