Schools start eight-week smartphone treasure hunt

Thousands of virtual tags have been placed around the borough for pupils, teachers and families to go out and collect

A smartphone treasure hunt game for schools across the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead has begun.

Using a free app students, teachers and families from 21 schools across the borough have eight weeks to find hidden virtual tags.

The tags, found along school routes and parks, accumulate points that are turned into cash prizes for their school.

The Street Tag game runs across the borough until 4 November.

Players can also add their own tags for others to find.

A previous game over the summer saw pupils and their families walk more than 45,000 miles across the borough and collect more than 69,000 tags.

The council said it hoped the treasure hunt game would encourage children and their families to explore new places.

Councillor Catherine del Campo, cabinet member for adult services, health, and housing services, said: "It's about sparking that spirit of adventure, inspiring families to explore our vibrant parks and green spaces, libraries, playgrounds, sports facilities as well as the borough's history and cultural treats."

The council said a third game, planned for early next year, would be open to all residents and communities to join in.