London  - Winnie-the-Pooh, the favourite honey-loving bear of generations of young children, is to make a return to the bookshelves after more than 80 years - with a new little friend, it was announced Thursday.

Pooh bear, as he was also known, has a close circle of animal friends in Hundred Acre Wood when he first appeared - notably Tigger, Piglet and Eyeore.

Now they will be joined in new adventures by a feisty new friend, called Lottie the Otter.

The book, which hits the shops on Monday, is illustrated by Mark Burgess, who has also brought classic children's character Paddington Bear to life.

Author David Benedictus said: "It's an honour to have created this new adventure for Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends, and it seemed only right that they have a new friend to enjoy such an adventure with."

In the 10 new stories in Return to the Hundred Acre Wood, Lottie swims in Christopher Robin's bath, helps to set up an academy, and turns out to be good at cricket.

Benedictus has taken over the mantle from AA Milne, the original author behind the tales about Pooh's life.

Winnie-the-Pooh was first published in 1926 and is available in 50 languages around the world, and Milne's last Pooh tale, The House At Pooh Corner, was in 1928. (dpa)