THE MALMESBURY Mini Hare Trail is now underway.

Part of the larger Cotswolds Hare Trail, the event began on June 4 and eagle eyed hare hunters may already have spotted a number of the figures designed by Malmesbury School students dotted around the town.

Residents and visitors to the town are being urged to get involved, to be in with a chance of winning a unique prize.

Specifically designed trail passports available from the Tourist Information Centre, are the best way to ensure you spot all the hares in their hiding places.

The booklet lists all of the locations where the tiny hares are hiding and once you have found one, tick it off your list and move on to the next.

Completed passports should be handed back to the information centre by September 10, where they will be entered into a prize draw.

Announced on the festival website on September 19, the winner will receive a white mini hare to decorate in their own style.

There are 18 hares to track down in total, spread across the town.

The trail launched after television presenter Adam Henson officially opened this year’s Cotswolds Hare Trail.

Adam was joined by hare trail founder Florence Beetlestone and artist Gemma Hastilow in the warm summer sunshine at Cotswold Farm Park, to mark the beginning of the four month trail.

Returning for a fifth year, each sculpture has been intricately created by talented artists from the region, meaning each hare has a personality and charm all of its own.

They might be hiding in hedgerows, springing about in a park, gracing a town square, or even inside a shop, so it pays to keep your eyes peeled.

Groups and families taking part are also encouraged to take photos of themselves with the hares when they find them and share the images across Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, using the hashtag #cotswoldsharetrail

All the hares are available to buy, with a live auction on September 21, following the end of the trail on September 9, at the Cirencester Corn Hall, for some of the hares followed by an online auction.

For more information visit cotswoldsharetrail.org.uk