FOUR giant hares have 'hopped' their way to Chipping Sodbury as a part of the 2017 Cotswold Hare Trail.

The five-foot tall hare statues were unveiled at a launch party on Saturday, March 25 as a part of a six-month long treasure hunt across the Cotswolds.   

Visitors to Chipping Sodbury are invited to take selfies with ‘Harey’ Potter, Mr Horatio Hare, Charlotte the Hare and the Tiger That Came To Town.

Three of the large hares have been financed by Sodbury Chamber of Commerce, with the aid of Member Awarded Funding from Cllr Rob Creer and Cllr Linda Boon of South Gloucestershire Council.

Jo Cox, Chairman of Chipping Sodbury’s Chamber of Commerce, commented that the town is "thrilled" to take part in the Cotswold wide Hare trail.

"We are so excited to be able to showcase four hares in the town," she said.

"Everyone is welcome to come and see the hares and explore Chipping Sodbury.”

For fans of a certain boy wizard, ‘Harey’ Potter is sure to impress with his Hogwarts uniform design by Sarah Fortes of Wychwood Cuckoo Designs. 

Mr Horatio Hare, decorated by Sara Rickard, features lots of nature images as well as the blue heart of the Blue Campaign - an initiative that encourages residents to let their gardens be wild.

At the pre-launch event of the Cotswold Hare Trail on Thursday, March 9, Sodbury Chamber of Commerce successfully bid for a third hare, the Tiger that came to Town, as part of an auction held by Paul Martin of TV show Flog It!

A final hare, called Charlotte, was sponsored by Waitrose and incorporates a bright coloured design by Birmingham artist Sue Guthrie.

Edmund Thackery, Section Manager Operations at Waitrose, said “It’s great to work alongside the Chamber of Commerce and be part of the Cotswold Hare Trail”

Hare hunters, or ‘Harers’, are asked to record their sightings of each statue by uploading selfies tagged with @cirenhare on social media.

Selfies can also be posted on the Visit Chipping Sodbury Facebook page.