A BRADFORD transport firm has provided a Christmas miracle of epic proportions for a family stuck with a fluffy dilemma.

The Walkers had an unusually large extra passenger this year for their annual Christmas trip over to the Republic of Ireland to see family.

Dad, Adam Walker, explained how they had bought their seven-year-old daughter, Roisin, a teddy bear in the run-up to Christmas Day.

But, this was no ordinary sized fluffy friend, and the family were facing a race to get the bear across for the big day.

Mr Walker said: "It must be about five-and-a-half feet tall.

"She was going mad for this teddy bear.

"But, we had a serious problem getting it over in the car.

"We were looking at numerous options - flying the family over and then me driving over."

Mr Walker's wife, Elaine, put out an appeal on social media and got a response straight away.

He said: "We were told a courier was going over."

That courier was RTC Transport, which is based near Four Lane Ends, in Bradford.

It was originally set up by 46-year-old, Julian John, who now co-owns the firm with his wife Gemma John.

Mrs John described how the teddy's journey to Ireland first came about.

She said: "I think Elaine just asked for recommendations on a Facebook group and then I think one of our friends in the same area recommended us.

"So obviously they got in touch with my husband initially.

"We do go over to Ireland quite regularly, so it was possible we would get a run over there before Christmas and we said we'd be more than happy to assist.

"I don't know at first if they knew about costings.

"But as it happened, we got a job over in Ireland and so we thought, it's Christmas, it's their daughter, let's do it for free."

Mr Walker admits the gesture means a lot to the family.

He said: "The company have been great.

"All Julian said was to 'just call me Santa Claus'.

"He has made Christmas for our daughter, and he wouldn't accept anything for it.

"It is an incredible act of kindness and good will.

"Elaine was in tears."

Mrs Walker dropped the teddy off at the company's premises on Wednesday, December 18.

It was on its way to the port on Thursday morning - stopping at a petrol station on the way - and touched down in The Emerald Isle on the same day.

Mrs Walker's dad, Terry O'Toole, picked up the bear, who looked rather exhausted in the back of the car, from his escapades across the Irish Sea.

RTC Transport was happy it could provide some Christmas cheer and Mrs John sympathised with the family's predicament.

She said:"When you've got kids, you can relate.

"You make sure you move Heaven and earth for your kids at Christmas.

"That's why we thought, why not help out."