THERE are crazy scenes at Build a Bear stores across south Essex .

A promotional event is taking place today where children can "pay their age" for a soft toy.

People have flocked to the stores in Basildon and Thurrock in their hundreds, with people queuing out the doors.

A mum in the queue said in Basildon: "We have been here four hours.

"They were queuing out of the centre earlier. I’ve heard that they will run out of bears soon."