SIX giant hares have taken up residence in Cricklade for the summer.

The 5ft tall creatures dotted around the town are part of the Cotswold Hare Trail – a series of 65 sculptures that have popped up in spots all over the district, including Ashton Keynes.

Hare-itage, Fritil-Harey, Liz Harely, Springer, Rufus and Bolt are already settling in well, in fact four little leverets are expected soon.

Town clerk Tina Jones explained: “Cricklade Town Council was offered the opportunity to become a part of the 2017 Cotswold Trail and members of the council thought it would be a wonderful opportunity to promote Cricklade and bring more visitors to the town.

“Other local businesses signed up to give Cricklade a trail of six hares with four leverets due very shortly.”

The individually decorated hares, can be found outside the council offices, near the Fritillary Tea Rooms, outside the Red Lion, at the leisure centre, in the window of Madam Blunt and outside Prior Park School until September 10.

Hare-itage, the council’s hare, depicts the history, culture and buildings of the town and was painted by local artist Caroline Bromley-Gardner.

Stargazer, the hare adopted by businesses, the church and school in Ashton Keynes, is outside the White Hart and was decorated by Kathryn Gray. The artist welcomed pupils from the primary school to join her in a mosaic workshop to help decorate the hare, using designs inspired by the village's historic church.

Hares are also stationed in Cirencester, Malmesbury, Fairford and other locations.

They will be collected together and auctioned off for charity in October.

More than 30,000 people from all over the country followed the hare trail started three years ago with the Cirencester March Hare Festival.

Visit cirencestermarchharefestival.org.uk for more information and locations around the Cotswolds.