A young girl's vision has been brought to life as she was introduced to the mascot she designed.

Hannah Teeton created Bean the Tortoise to promote a charity walking fundraiser called The Mason Mile as part of a competition after she was inspired by the popular fable of the tortoise and the hare.

Hannah tells of meeting Bean

The 12-year-old said: "I was quite excited to see the mascot because initially I had only seen the drawings so seeing Bean in the flesh is quite exciting.

"I was not expecting to win. I had completely forgotten about the competition. It is one of those things you enter and you do not expect to win, you just enter for fun. It was quite surprising.

"I got inspired by the tortoise and the hare and the quote 'slow and steady wins the race'. It just felt like the right connection. The tortoise was not the fastest animal but still attempted and then won."

The mascot was unveiled at an assembly at Fort Pitt Grammar School in Chatham where the Year 7 and 8 students were seen cheering and queuing for photos with Bean.

The Mason Foundation ran a competition last summer to challenge children between the ages of five and 16 to design their own mascot.

Entries were accepted from Maidstone, Medway, Thanet, Southwark and Thamesmead and promoted through schools, businesses and at the charity's summer extravaganza events.

That is where Hannah of Gillingham came up with the idea of Bean during a day at Medway Park. She was one of more than 200 entries which were then shortlisted to 10.

Hannah said her creation was centred around the idea that it does not matter what your ability is as long as you try.

A spokesman for the foundation said: "We loved Bean and his message of 'it is not about how fast you go, it is just that you go' and we are incredibly excited to unveil the mascot."

The Mason Mile is a one-mile route which anyone can join to walk or jog regardless of ability or disability to encourage people to become happier, healthier and more active.

It is branded as the starting point to provide a nudge into fun, easy and regular activity.

Their family mile includes themes to interest everyone and include things such as nature, adventure and mystery activities.

For more information on miles near you visit the website here.