Peter Rabbits spring up as art trail unveiled

Colourful Peter Rabbit sculptures have appeared as part of a public art trail.

Peter Rabbit: Tales on the Tyne is the fourth interactive trail St Oswald's Hospice has run since 2016 and seeks to raise money for the charity.

Inspired by the famous Beatrix Potter character, 96 sculptures are dotted around Newcastle and North Tyneside until the 14 September.

While the trail is being advertised as free, the charity's Nikki Maguire said there was an app and sticker book which could be purchased which will go directly to helping the hospice's running costs.

The 43 larger sculptures were all designed by artists and most will be auctioned off in October to raise money.

The 53 smaller sculptures were created by schools and youth groups, and will be returned to them following the trail.

The interactive app features all of the sculptures on a map and people can go around and unlock the different ones they find.

The printed trail map and sticker book is available to purchase at The Space by St Oswald's Hospice in Ouseburn.

Maguire said the app and sticker book made the trail more interactive, but also raised vital funds for the hospice.

"We have to raise such a huge amount of money every year and it's getting increasingly more difficult to do so.

"More and more people are requiring hospice care, the demand's getting higher and we really have to find other ways to make sure those funds are coming in."

The Peter Rabbit trail follows the success of the Great North Snowdogs in 2016, Elmer's Great North Parade in 2019 and Shaun on the Tyne in 2023.

"It's a lovely thing for us as a charity to be associated with, it brings so much joy to everyone, it's such a big talking point across the city all summer," Maguire said.

"It's just something a little bit different and makes people smile and it's cross-generational.

"It's open to all so we just really hope everyone gets involved and enjoys it."

Follow BBC Newcastle on X,Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.