SALISBURY’S Nutcracker Trail returns for the festive season.

The trail starts today (Saturday, November 30) and runs until January 5.

Ten giant Nutcrackers, each 6.5ft tall, have been located around the city centre.

As participants follow the trail, they collect the names of each nutcracker before posting their completed entry forms in the Nutcracker’s Post Box at the Guildhall.

A winner, which will be drawn at random in the New Year, will receive a £100 Salisbury Gift Card and a one-month Salisbury Reds network bus pass.

Trail booklets are available to download here, or can be collected from various locations in the city centre including Salisbury Information Centre and Salisbury Playhouse.

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The Salisbury Nutcracker Trail is an initiative of Salisbury BID (Business Improvement District) and this year has been kindly sponsored by Salisbury Reds.

In addition to the trail, a Nutcracker selfie competition has also been launched. People are encouraged to post their Nutcracker selfie to Instagram using #SalisburyNutcrackerTrail and will automatically enter the selfie competition to win a £100 Salisbury Gift Card.

Kara Rogers, the marketing and communications manager at Salisbury BID, said: “As well as providing a free activity for families to enjoy, we’ve designed the trail to bring people into the city centre and to encourage people to explore places of the city they might not usually go to.”

“The trail is a great way to keep children entertained whilst doing some Christmas shopping or just an enjoyable festive activity for the whole family to do together. Over 700 families completed the trail last year and we hope even more people will enjoy it this year.”

Nikki Honer, Salisbury Reds head of communications, added: “Last year’s trail, organised by Salisbury BID, was a huge success, and we’re delighted to be joining in the fun for Christmas 2019.

“This year we’ve upped the fun and launched a Nutcracker selfie competition. We’re asking people to visit a Nutcracker, take a selfie and then post it to Instagram using the hashtag #SalisburyNutcrackerTrail. The best selfie will win a £100 Salisbury Gift Card, which can be spent in over 130 businesses.”

“We think the trail is a great way to get people out-and-about exploring the city, with all the delights it has to offer. And leaving your car at home and travelling by bus is a great way to have fun without having to worry about parking at this very busy time of year.”

Despite being locked up, last year one nutcracker was stolen, and another was vandalised. Extra precautions have been taken this year and the nutcracker’s are covered on CCTV.

PC Jack Billington, Salisbury's Community Policing Team, said: “It was disappointing when the Nutcrackers were vandalised last year as it spoils the festive fun for everybody else in the community. We’d like to remind people vandalism will not be tolerated and vandals will be prosecuted.

“When approaching the Nutcracker’s this year, just remember to smile because you’ll be on CCTV.”

For a full list of what’s on in Salisbury this Christmas, click here.