There's a dastardly highwayman at large - and he's after your biscuits. We preview a family-friendly forest day with a special friend

Bring your buns and your biscuits to an outdoor feast - if you dare!

A creation of author Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler, the Highway Rat is swashbuckling rodent with a sweet tooth and voracious appetite - and a naughty hero who delights little ones.

Highway Rat activity trails have been running at the Forestry Commission's Bedgebury Pinetum near Goudhurst and Jeksyns Park near Gravesend since the beginning of the year.

Now the Highway Rat-themed activities also mean meeting your favourite baddie face-to-face.

This month and next, he will be visiting Forestry Commission England woodlands so that children and families can join him in a feast and get a photograph taken with the loveable rogue.

Learning some Highway Rat swordplay can also be booked, thanks to a new partnership with British Fencing and Premier.

The Highway Rat Forest Feast, featuring appearances by the rodent himself will be held at Jeskyns Community Woodland on Saturday, June 23 between noon and 4pm.

Bring a picnic and come and meet the scoundrel himself at the tree house play area.

He will be there between 12.30 and 1pm; 1.30 and 2pm and 2.30pm and 3pm

You can download a party pack full of ideas and games at forestryengland.uk/highwayrat

It includes party games and five different activity sheets to keep the children inspired during their time in the forest.

The Highway Rat trails can still be enjoyed until the end of the year at both Jeskyns and Bedgebury.

DETAILS

Find Jeskyns at DA12 3AN, or by visiting forestry.gov.uk/forestry/beeh-ajccwk. Parking at Jeskyns costs £3 for two hours or more and a Highway Rat activity pack costs £3.Find Bedgebury Pinetum at Bedgebury Road, Goudhurst, TN17 2SJ. You can also call 01580 879820, email bedgebury@­forestry.gsi.gov.uk or visit forestry.gov.uk/highwayrat. Parking costs £10 weekdays during term and £13 at weekends, school holidays and bank holidays.