A RANSOM note has been given to a Bolton pub landlord after "bear-faced" kidnappers ran off with a -- teddy. The mysterious thieves have said they will post the bear's ears to the Ring O'Bells landlord Steve Hoyle if their demands are not met. The demands are simple -- to play Elvis Prestley's song Teddy Bear at certain times.

Steve said: "We think we know who the culprits are but we believe they may have absconded with the teddy -- to Benidorm." The teddy had been sitting on the bar at the Church Street pub, Little Lever, to raise money for local boy Nathan Howarth in a "guess teddy's name" raffle.

But the cheeky pranksters, believed to be regulars at the pub, decided to kidnap the bear as a stunt.

It is expected there will be a ransom demand of money to raise even more cash for Nathan.

Landlord Steve added: "They are pranksters having a laugh. But I will get the last laugh on them. When they come back from Spain I am going to make them wear teddy bear costumes and they can go around Little Lever with a bucket to get us some more money for Nathan."

Steve decided to raise money for the two-year-old, who suffers from a rare and deadly genetic disorder, because he is good pals with Nathan's parents, Nick and Denise.

Nathan, of Great Lever, needs specialist gene treatment which is only available in America.

The family have raised £19,600 and need just another £400 to hit the target.