MEET Teddy the mascot who one Blackburn p-ensioner believed was the reason the Blackbur nRovers avoided relgation in 2004.

Harold Ashworth from Salesbury believed that the fortunes of his beloved home town club were all down to a lucky teddy bear.

Since receiving the bear as a gift from his brother-in-law six years ago, he has become convinced that ‘Teddy’ has brought him extra luck.

Such is his conviction that his bear acts as some sort of talisman, that when the Rovers began to struggle at the start of the season, Harold appointed him as their unofficial mascot.

Retired chartered engineer Harold said: “As I always wear a Rovers tie when I go out, I had the idea of putting it on Teddy too.

“Graeme Souness might think that it’s his influence as manager, but I know that it’s down to my bear.

“I’m not normally the type of man to be superstitious, in fact my brother-in-law was worried I’d think his present silly!”

Since getting Teddy, Harold had had 20 minor wins on the Narional Lottery.

The bear had also been on trips abroad, including to Europe and the Caribbean.

Harold said: “Of course I don’t think that Teddy has any mystical powers, but he does seem to bring a lot of luck.

“He represents a bit of light-hearted fun.”