Children and pensioners alike were chilled to the bone when they met a giant polar bear while Christmas shopping in Stratford.

Bjorn, a moving life-size polar bear, made a triumphant return to the Stratford Centre on the Broadway on Sunday.

He roamed the halls of the shopping centre before stopping for a petting session in Central Square where an ice sculpture environment had been set up to make him feel at home.

People took pictures and video on their camera phones while knowledgable herfer Ursula the Inuit told the crowds about Bjorn’s natural habitat, what he eats, and how he keeps warm.

There was also a North Pole-inspired workshop for free arts and crafts activities for the little ones to take home.