Warwick has bid farewell to a collection of life-size bears which helped form a family trail, as another takes its place in the town for summer.

The Eco Bear Trail was launched by Warwick Town Council for May half-term and featured six bears, sculpted by local artist Suw Mitchell, with four designed by local schools as part of a ‘Bottles to Bears’ project.

Each bear was around 4ft tall and made from recycled bottles collected from the fish sculpture in Pageant Gardens – which was launched last year as part of Great Big Green Week and named Fin Diesel following a town-wide competition.

The bears, designed by Evergreen School, Warwick Prep School, Warwick Junior School and Westgate Primary School, were each given their own personality and biography by their school.

Artist Suw Mitchell, the Mayor of Warwick Councillor Simon Pargeter and former Mayor Councillor Jackie D’Arcy, with the bear sculptures. Photo supplied

placeholder image — Artist Suw Mitchell, the Mayor of Warwick Councillor Simon Pargeter and former Mayor Councillor Jackie D’Arcy, with the bear sculptures. Photo supplied

They were spread around the town forming a trail to help people explore.

Warwick Town Council said the bears “proved a huge hit with families and highlighted the importance of recycling, reducing waste and caring for the environment”.

Recently, the sculptures were reunited for a photo with artist Suw Mitchell, the Mayor of Warwick Councillor Simon Pargeter and former Mayor Jackie D’Arcy, who was presented with a special mayor bear named Pauline.

The departure of the eco bears makes way for a new trail created by Warwick’s Market Hall Museum as part of its Warwick Castle Unboxed series.

The new ‘Through the Shop Window’ trail uncovers the stories of the shops and businesses that once served the town in Victorian times, from the butcher who provided sausages for the Earl of Warwick’s breakfast to stories from the Warwick Castle archives and the businesses that supported it during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Visitors will be able to pick up a free trail map from the Market Hall Museum, Warwick’s Visitor Information Centre inside the Court House and participating shops, then follow the route through Warwick’s streets, shops and gardens, spotting the window displays, scanning QR codes and uncovering hidden connections between town and castle along the way.

Participants who complete the trail can get their map stamped at back at the Visitor Information Centre, and visitors can also see the Warwick Castle Unboxed exhibition at the Market Hall Museum.

Speaking about the Eco Bear Trail, Kelly Scott, Warwick Town Council’s town centre manager, said: “The Warwick Eco Bear Trail proved a huge success and helped people explore some of the wonderful quirky nooks and crannies around our town, not to mention find our fabulous independent businesses and check out attractions they may not have heard about. It was fabulous to have local schoolchildren involved in something that was so well received and we look forward to more projects like this.

“While we’re sad to wave goodbye to our bears, the Through the Shop Window trail will be another great way to discover Warwick - whether you’re a local or someone visiting for a day, weekend or even week.”

The trail runs until August 29.

For more information, go to: https://heritage.warwickshire.gov.uk/