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Visitors flock to Shaun the Sheep trail in Bury

Anna Jameson,North Westand
Lauren Hirst,North West
News imageBury BID The original black and white Shaun the Sheep animation has been created into a sculpture. It has been positioned on a platform in front of a large glass window and a wall featuring Union Jack flag wallpaper. Bury BID
Twelve Shaun the Sheep sculptures are positioned around the town centre

Shaun the Sheep first made his debut back in 1995 in Wallace and Gromit: A Close Shave.

By 2005, he had branched out on his own and now, with 190 episodes spanning over seven series, the Shaun the Sheep franchise is one of the longest-running animated series on British television.

A free sculpture trail - Find the Flock - featuring 12 painted models of the animated character has been installed in Bury, Greater Manchester until 30 April.

Nigel Shields, from Bury BID, welcomed the addition of the trail to the area, adding the popular television series lends itself to the humour of the town.

"It lends to the personality of Bury generally, not taking yourself too serious," he said.

"It's not just drab and very sensible.

"You can have some fun around here and there and we need more of that."

News imageBury BID A colourful sheep sculpture is positioned on a platform in the middle of a railway station. This sculpture is a homage to all the UK’s farming lands, featuring different aspects throughout the seasons within one image.Bury BID
One of the sculptures is a homage to all the UK's farming lands

Each sculpture features a different design and is situated in various locations across the town encouraging visitors to explore different parts of Bury including The Met, the East Lancashire Railway and Bury Art Museum.

Gemma Laverick, from The Fusilier Museum where one of the sculptures is located, said it was "bringing different demographic into the building".

"People that might not normally come to see us have then gone 'oh wow you're here too as well as Shaun' so that's been fantastic."

A new film Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom is due to come out in October.

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