The launch date for a free art trail featuring a well-known children’s character is less than a month away.

Dozens of colourful Shaun the Sheep sculptures are set to be installed throughout Maidstone at the end of June.

The Shaun in the Heart of Kent trail follows on from the popular Elmer’s Big Heart of Kent Parade in 2021.

It is a partnership between the Heart of Kent Hospice, Wild in Art and Aardman – an award-winning studio based in Bristol and creator of the cheeky character.

It is set to launch on Saturday, June 29 and run until Friday, August 30.

Fifty unique sculptures will be placed at various famous landmarks across the town centre.

These include the Maidstone Museum, Kent History and Library Centre, Hermitage Millennium Amphitheatre and the Carriage Museum.

Colourful illustrations, eye-catching graphics, fine art and graffiti have been used to decorate the iconic sheep.

Erica Snow, project manager at Heart of Kent Hospice, said: “Our eagerly awaited second free art trail, which follows on from the successful Elmer’s Big Heart of Kent Parade in 2021, also promises to provide plenty of family fun as everyone discovers the 51 unique and colourful hand painted Shaun Sculptures.

“They will appear overnight at locations across Maidstone town centre including in parks and along the river from 29 June to 30 August 2024.”

The Shaun the Sheep sculptures are currently being kept under wraps, but the ‘Roaming Shaun’ design will soon be unveiled to allow the hospice fundraising team to visit locations across Maidstone to promote the Shaun the Sheep in the Heart of Kent art trail before it goes live on June 29.

Later this year people can book a slot to visit all the Shaun Sculptures under one roof at the Farewell Weekend which takes place between September 13 and 15.

There will be also be a live auction for the Shaun sculptures on September 26.

All proceeds from the auction will help the hospice to continue to provide care to the local community.