This weekend will give people the rare opportunity to see dozens of colourful Swindog sculptures all in one place.

The world’s first-ever balloon dog art trail has been hailed as a huge success, as more than 23,000 people took part and walked a total of 13,500 miles around Swindon to see 30 Swindog and 42 Swinpup sculptures during the summer.

Impressively, 1,083 participants sought out every single sculpture in parks, shopping streets, libraries, community centres, and tourist destinations in the town.

The event organised by Wild in Art and Julia’s House Children’s Hospice is coming to a close with one final farewell weekend that gathers every colourful artwork under one roof at the Steam Museum this Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 5pm.

Book in advance to secure a place or pay on the day. Tickets cost £2.50 per person, under-threes go free. Project manager Chris Hyde said: “We have been blown away by the response from the public to the trail.

“The Swindogs and Swinpups have brought joy, excitement and colour to Swindon over the summer for locals and also for tourists to the town, many of whom have visited just to see the trail.

“It has been amazing to see everyone’s reactions and watch families, children and even pets all enjoying the amazing designs and exploring the local area to visit their favourite places as well as discover new ones"

The Big Dog Art Trail has helped raise awareness and vital funds for Julia’s House, which relies on public support for over 90 per cent of its funding. Next Tuesday, the Swindogs - designed by local and national artists - and Swinpups - designed by schoolchildren and community groups - will be auctioned off to their forever homes.

Wilid in Art co-founder and managing director, Charlie Langhorne, added: "It will be such a spectacle to see all the Swindogs gathered together for the Farewell Weekend.

“The trail has been a huge success and it’s all down to the people of Swindon who have really made the trail their own. “Now it’s time for us to generate a legacy for Julia’s House as we find homes for these unique and quite stunning pieces of art.

“We know from previous trails that people fall in love with a sculpture they have walked past every day, or a business may be excited about installing a particular Swindog as a talking point in their foyer.

“The reasons are endless but what they all have in common is that Julia’s House will benefit from every Swindog sold at the auction."

App users voted the Papillon Swindog which was designed by Caroline Parrott, sponsored by Intel and based in Lydiard Park’s Rose Garden, as the best in show.

The artwork included 3,864 hand-painted and hand-cut aluminium butterflies and took nine months to complete, Caroline Parrott said: "Papillon is the biggest challenge in my work I’ve ever created, so I’m immensely proud he’s been voted top dog.

“ I’m so excited to be at the farewell weekend and auction, and see him hopefully raise a good amount of money for the charity.

“It was fantastic to see the trail when I visited Swindon for the opening weekend.

“I watched the reactions of people who were out finding the dog sculptures. There was so much excitement and appreciation of the work involved to create them.

"It’s been a great way to highlight Julia’s House. I helped to care for my Dad throughout the nine months I worked on Papillon. It highlighted to me even more how important charities like Julia’s House are for providing support and respite for families."

Visit www.bigdogarttrail.co.uk/events/