A brand new family trail which will bring animated magic to six businesses in the Ironbridge Gorge has been launched - thanks to support from Telford & Wrekin Council’s Pride in Our High Street programme.

The trail, created by award-winning animator Leo Wright - a graduate of the world-renowned Aardman Academy - will put The Ironbridge Gorge on the map in a whole new way.

Leo’s film The Big Bad Wolf, which features two characters from Ironbridge, was made at Aardman, the home of Wallace & Gromit and Morph.

The characters, Billy the Wolf and Richmond the pig, will appear outside the shops in Ironbridge as part of the trail and have been designed in keeping with what each one sells.

The Council has handed over an exceptional grant through Pride in Our High Street to help fund promotional materials and officially launch the trail in Ironbridge on Saturday 16 August.

Shops which are all delighted to be involved in the project include Ironbridge Book Shop, Tails from the Gorge, Ironbridge Sweet Shop, Toy Box, Darlington’s of Ironbridge and Copper Fox and Woodland Tea rooms.

Leo is already working with schools across the Midlands and delivers plasticine and drawing workshops for children and is keen to engage with local youngsters.

Anyone taking part in the trail will be given interactive maps for ages 4-12 from any of the shops taking part in the trail.

Children will receive stamps in the shops where they find the characters and clues to answer the questions.

Leo has also produced a short video, which was used at the launch, to bring the characters to life.

You can find out more about Leo Wright and his work at leowrightstudios.com. Find out more information about the Pride in Our High Street programme and grants which are available here: telford.gov.uk