YOUNG shoppers will be in with the chance of getting their hands on free chocolate eggs this weekend.

The Bishop of Swindon, The Rt Rev Dr Lee Rayfield, and a team of volunteers will be giving out 250 eggs in the town centre and in West Swindon shopping centre on Saturday.

The eggs, which also tell the story of Easter, are the first of their kind and will be on offer for children under 16.

Dr Rayfield said: “We are going to be giving away the real Easter egg, they have the real story of Easter on them.

“They are the first Easter eggs which link with the Christian understanding.

“It is a great opportunity for us to help people to think about what Easter is about and give them a really surprising and good gift.

“It will put a smile on people’s faces.

When Dr Rayfield is giving out the eggs he will be surrounded by a display of artwork from primary schools, secondary schools, Swindon Artists’ Forum and the Salvation Army homeless hostel.

“I like meeting people and talking to people so this is something I enjoy doing and of course it links in with our project,” he said.

“This is the first time it has been done. We are giving the eggs to people who are 16 or under, they are not for adults.

The bishop and his team will be giving out the eggs, which are made by the Meaningful Chocolate Company, on the ground floor of the Brunel shopping centre and by the Easter project exhibit in West Swindon.

Dr Rayfield said they would be at the locations in the afternoon but he would not reveal exactly what time they would be there.

The Easter project art exhibition, which tells the story of Easter, includes work by the Ridgeway School, Swindon College, Ruskin Junior School and Kingsdown School, Wroughton Junior School, Holy Rood Junior School, Swindon Academy and Oliver Tomkins Junior School.

For more information visit the website which can be found at www.swindonchurches.org.