Toy’s creator’s signing session, by Tara Dundon

“The Paddington Bear toy creator has been signing copies of her new book in Spalding. Shirley Clarkson, who is also Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson’s mother, created the toys based on Michael Bond’s popular marmalade sandwich-eating bear and ended up with a back room business and £1 million turnover.

The 73-year-old, from Bulwick, in Northamptonshire, has now written about the rollercoaster ride of her role in the Paddington Bear story, ‘Bearly Believable’. Mrs Clarkson paid a visit to Bookmark, in Spalding, to sign copies of the new book, in which she discusses the ups and downs of the international success she enjoyed after coming up with the original and classic Paddington Bear toy design.”