SHOPPERS in Chipping Sodbury will not have the wool pulled over their eyes with the launch of a summer sheep competition.

Young and old are being asked to use their shear determination to search out the 25 missing little lambs which have been hidden around the town by members of the Sodbury Chamber of Commerce.

The fun trail, not dissimilar from the hugely successful Gromit Unleashed initiative around greater Bristol last year, is hoped to have the crowds flocking into Chipping Sodbury during the summer months.

Rebekah Richardson, co-chairman of the chamber, said: “Twenty five sheep have disappeared from a field in South Gloucestershire. Sources close to their leader ‘Ramsay’ have revealed that they’re heading for Chipping Sodbury town centre to take part in the Sodbury Sheep Search.

“From Saturday, July 19, the cute, fluffy sheep will all take up residence in shop and café windows throughout the town. Retailers are insisting they display their names so the farmer knows they are all safe. Can ‘ewe’ help find them?”

The chamber has launched the trail as members are keen to ram home Chipping Sodbury’s wealth of independent shops and eateries and promote it as a shopping and tourist destination.

The free family fun starts this Saturday, July 19 and runs until September 1.

Trail maps are available from the Tourist Information Centre and all participating retailers. Alternatively you can download a copy from www.mysodbury.co.uk or www.visitchippingsodbury.com

Participants are asked to complete the trail, fill in the names of the sheep, then just hand your entry back in at the Tourist Information Centre. All correct entries will be put into a prize draw.

Added Rebekah: “Ewe never know, ewe could be giving one of the 25 Sodbury Sheep a new home.”

For more information search Sodbury Sheep Search on Facebook or follow @sodburysheep on twitter.