Penguins coming to Torquay harbour

Penguins are going to be popping up all around Torquay harbour.

Look out for the cheeky six inch characters in shops and businesses.

Over 50 mini plaster of Paris penguins have been decorated in a range of dazzling designs by Living Coasts staff and volunteers, with others created by children and friends. The penguins will be on show in shop windows around the inner harbour, forming a fun free trail to follow.

Designs include a punk with a Mohican, Harry Potter, a Wagnerian Valkyrie, several versions of Superman, a ceremonial guardsman complete with bearskin, a peacock penguin and a Damien Hirst inspired design using 1800 rhinestones.

Hayley Gibson, from Living Coasts, explained: “Living Coasts is the home of the penguin, so it’s fitting for our trail to feature this fabulous little bird. Many businesses are joining in, but we’d love every shop and café around the inner harbour to befriend a penguin for the summer.

“The trail, which is free to enter, runs from Monday 26th May to Tuesday 30th September. Pick up a trail sheet from Living Coasts or any of the businesses taking part. Look for the posters displayed with the penguins. Each poster has a letter on it. When you have all the letters, find the phrase that they spell out and hand your answer in at Living Coasts. When the trail ends in September we’ll select a winner – the prize is a Living Coasts penguin feeding experience.”

The free trail is a miniature version of the highly-successful Great Gorilla Trail run by Living Coasts’ sister zoo Paignton Zoo last year.

Hayley again: “The penguins have really brought out the artistic skills of our team! We hope people will come down to the harbour, have fun following the trail and enjoy the wide range of shops and businesses found here.” For more information go to www.livingcoasts.org.uk or ring 0844 474 3366.