A ‘ROMP’ of colourful otters sponsored and designed by schools, community groups, businesses and individual artists gathered in Farnham ahead of the launch of the town’s new Otter Wey Trail.

An impressive array of 44 metre-high model otters have now been set on plinths along an eight kilometre trail through the town, stretching from Farnham Castle to Bishop’s Meadow, The Ridgeway and the Farnham Centre for Health to celebrate the return of otters to the River Wey near Farnham.

The Mayor of Farnham, Mike Hodge, will lead a walk along the trail as part of this year’s Farnham Walking Festival on Sunday, May 27, and on June 30 the otters will gather for a final ‘romp’ at Farnham Carnival.

Afterwards they will be auctioned at Farnham Castle on July 9, with the proceeds to be split between the mayor’s chosen charities The Woodlarks Centre and the Brightwells Gostrey Centre.

Highlights of the trail include a hop-inspired otter painted by renowned artist Charles Bone for Wright’s Lion Brewery in West Street, while The Herald’s otter was designed by 10-year-old St Polycarp’s schoolboy Oliver Barnes, winner of the Herald’s ‘Jot an Otter’ competition, and painted by Rosie Chaplin.