History enthusiasts can find out more about Sittingbourne while prowling through a new cat walk.

A free trail has been set up by the Historical Research Group of Sittingbourne and Baileys Coffee Shop with the help of Swale council, and will be launched on Saturday.

The self-guided route takes walkers along Watling Street, a Roman road through the heart of the town, as they try to spot 15 cat pictures in shop windows.

It may seem a little strange, but a century ago cat-mad couple Florence and Thomas Gisby lived at 9 Cockleshell Walk, which is now a car park, and owned many moggies. Their feline friends roamed the streets and each had a favourite place to sit, so now photos of cats are being put in windows.

If all 15 are spotted, a sticker can be redeemed from Baileys Coffee Shop in the High Street, which on Saturday will also be giving free balloons to children and a lollipop for anyone wearing cat ears or a tail.

The half-hour trail can still be followed even if the shops involved are closed – The Heritage Hub, Bengal Spice Restaurant, St Michael’s Church, Hawkesford James Estate Agents, the Baptist church, Reaching People Though Music, Pope Opticians, Brenchley House, Front Row Hairdressing, Joe’s Men’s Hairdressers, Sittingbourne Library, Character Costumes, Bairstow Eves estate agents and Sittingbourne Heritage Museum are all taking part.

The launch tomorrow, at 11am, coincides with the artisan market and the coffee shop’s fifth anniversary. Additional cat-related crafts are due to be available in the Forum Shopping Centre.

As well as all of that, the event will be opened by the mayor and mayoress of Swale, Cllr Colin Prescott and his wife Pamela.

There will also be a personalised guided walk led by Sittingbourne historian Michael Peters, co-author of several history books on the town and a member of the Kent Historic Buildings Committee. To find out more and to follow the trail, pick up a leaflet from the Heritage Hub in the shopping centre, Baileys Coffee Shop, or download it from the HRGS Facebook page.