Gromits!

THE Wallaces and the Gromits are back in Bristol for another summer sculpture trail to raise money for the Grand Appeal, in aid of Bristol Children's Hospital.

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In all, there are 53 sculptures of the much-loved characters from Bristol's Aardman Animations. As well as Wallace and Gromit, the trail also includes master-criminal Feathers McGraw and Norbot the Smart Gnome, who features in the latest W&G adventure, Vengeance Most Fowl.

Officially the trail is called Gromit Unleashed 3 and the 53 figures are at 51 different locations in Bristol and the surrounding area. As before, all are decorated in different colours and liveries courtesy of a range of artists.

I've not seen 'em all yet, but am particularly taken with pictures of the one at Aerospace Bristol. He's called Beagle 3, designed by Tim Sutcliffe as a homage to Beagle 2, the Mars lander designed by Bristol-born space boffin Colin Pillinger.

So that's a no-brainer when it comes to planning a few adventures and outings during the school holidays.