ON your marks to get knitting for an Olympic themed competition to give a cuddly toy to young hospital patients.

Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust is hosting the Rio inspired teddy making competition in connection with the summer games.

People will be able to submit entries for the Rio 2016 Teddy Sports Star Competition until the end of the Olympics on August 21.

The teddies will provide a cuddly distraction for children who are staying at Broomfield Hospital, Braintree Community Hospital or St Peter’s Hospital in Maldon.

The Trust is encouraging entrants to get creative with their designs to represent one of the 206 countries taking part.

The only restriction is that it should be child friendly and not excessively large.

There will be a gold, silver and bronze winner for each hospital who will have their teddies displayed, win a prize and have their photo taken with children and staff to be distributed internally and to the press.

The trust hopes to get a teddy for each country taking part and is encouraging people to keep track of which countries have been chosen on social media.

Cathy Geddes, Chief Nurse at Mid Essex Hospitals said: "We are delighted to launch this competition and are excitedly anticipating the arrival of the first entries. It is an opportunity for the community to work together to help brighten children’s stays at our hospitals.

"We know from experience that there are some very talented knitters who create wonderful gifts to give to our patients and we hope that they will be inspired to join in.”

Teddies can be dropped off to the Charities Team or the Goods Receiving Office.

In addition, you can send entries by post to The Charities Team, Broomfield Court, Broomfield Hospital, Court Road, Broomfield, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 7ET.

Please include a note with your name, address, telephone number and email address.