COWLING'S first ever creature trail will be held this Saturday.

Up to 30 hand-sculpted woodland creatures such as a bird, fox and hare will be placed at various points along the six-mile route, which takes in several local landmarks such as the Hitching Stone and Cowling Pinnacle.

Local artist Catherine Mercer, who along with her daughter Dolly, is organising the event and has held sessions to help local people make the creatures using a variety of materials.

"The nursery, school, Brownies and Guides and other villagers have made a range of woodland creatures native to the area, although some of them might not be of the native variety," said Catherine.

The creature trail starts at 4pm with a six-mile guided walk setting off from the Bay Horse. The walk will go through the recreation ground, down by the beck, through Middleton and Ickornshaw, up the Pennine Way to the shooting lodge and takes in the Hitching Stone and Cowling Pinnacle before heading back to the Bay Horse.

Catherine, a keen runner and member of Keighley and Craven Athletics Club, also said a seven-mile 'tail' run starts at 5pm from the Bay Horse, and all participants should try to wear some kind of tail.

Free maps of the route are available at the Bay Horse and people can do their own walk around the route from noon.