Hundreds of tiny gnomes hidden across town

The gnomes have overrun Accrington

Hundreds of tiny gnomes have been hidden in nooks and crannies across a Lancashire town by a seven-year-old girl "to make other people smile".

The colourful, bearded miniatures, found behind plant pots and windowsills in Accrington, were created by 3D printing shop owner Michael for his daughter Amara.

He said she "loves to go hide them around town", and "it makes her feel happy" to think finding one of the gnomes might brighten someone's day.

The gnome takeover has caused some confusion among residents, with one person posting online: "My daughter keeps finding these tiny gnomes around town... Does anybody know why?"

The tiny figurines have been created using a 3D printer

Michael owns Geeks 'n' Gizmos, a shop selling 3D printed gaming miniatures, and began making the creatures for his daughter.

The gnomes are tiny, between two and three centimetres tall.

Michael made the gnomes for his daughter to hide around town

Michael said he has been inundated with messages since residents began discovering the gnomes.

He said there have been "so many people wanting to find them, saying they're gonna go out just to look for gnomes."

The shop owner said he plans to keep making them for his daughter to hide, and has encouraged people to take photos of the gnomes and post them online.

"It could be a little happy thing for Accrington town I think. It keeps her happy, and makes other people happy as well," he said.