A toll-keeper teddy bear has raised more than £2,000 to help restore Shoreham's landmark Old Toll Bridge.

Tolby, dressed in peaked cap and uniform, was made by town resident Pat Hoare.

The bear has graced shop windows in the town to promote a raffle, the proceeds of which will go towards the £500,000 needed to restore the Grade II listed bridge across the River Adur.

Tolby was adopted by the Shoreham Society, which made him the star prize of its raffle, which will be drawn at St Peter's Church in West Street on February 22.

Mrs Hoare decided to make Tolby after the success of Lewis Teddy, which she made to raise money for the Lewes Flood Appeal.

From her own memories and research, Mrs Hoare and her husband Frank recreated a miniature version of the toll keeper's uniform and ticket box for Tolby.

She said: "I remember in the Sixties I used to pay sixpence to the tollkeepers.

"I couldn't remember what they wore so I dug out an old newspaper from 1970, the year the bridge closed.

"I gave the teddy a leather satchel. From the pictures, I could see a special clasp so I searched charity shops until I found a handbag with the same fastenings. I wanted to make it authentic.

"My husband made a wooden ticket machine and a little lamp for the bear."

Mrs Hoare, who is retired, has been surprised by the number of raffle tickets sold.

She said: "People have seen the bear and said they remember the toll-keepers and how they used to cycle across the bridge with their heads down to avoid paying.

"It has been interesting researching it and it has attracted a lot of attention."

The Shoreham Society needs to raise £100,000 towards the restoration of the bridge, which was shut to vehicles after the Shoreham bypass was built.

West Sussex County Council, which owns the right of way, has allocated £100,000 and a bid has been put in for £300,000 Lottery funding.

For information about the raffle, call Vera Tickler on 01273 885994.