Twelve new magical creatures have been unleashed to celebrate the nature and history of Burton upon Trent.
The playful sprites, called Trentlings, have been brought to life through a new augmented reality trail and a series of collectable trading cards.
Families can use a smartphone to track the Trentlings around The Washlands, unlocking photo opportunities with each character they find.
The trading cards each carry a Burton Points score, highlighting the most important Burton stories.
The characters include Alaburton, a stone spirit which celebrates the town’s once medieval alabaster industry. Hopleaf, Wheator, and Cottono reflect the growing and milling that shaped Burton’s economy, while water spirit Modwen is named after the town’s founding Saint and river creature Trentor personifies the River Trent itself.
Daisy, Geranafin, Heuchera, Calendula, Glaucua, and Mariglo represent flowers and link to Stapenhill Gardens, Burton’s In Bloom entry.
The Trentlings were co-created by Tilley Bancroft, Vice Chair of the Burton Place Steering Group and owner of Making Trails, and Helen Young, a local writer and geographer, in partnership with East Staffordshire Borough Council.
Councillor Paul Walker, the council’s cabinet member for tourism and cultural development, said: “Burton upon Trent is a place of rich history, heritage and culture. The Trentlings trail and collectable game is a modern and exciting way to reimagine these stories, bringing them to life for families, residents and young people this summer.”
The augmented reality trail is hosted on the Discover East Staffordshire Trails App.
Trentling trading cards will be available to purchase from the Brewhouse Arts Centre later this month.
For more information about the characters, click here.
