Children's story inspires town's sculpture trail

Sophie Wheeldon, from Blythe House Hospice, said the sculptures were "absolutely incredible"

A new sculpture trail of snow dogs is raising money for a hospice.

There are 12 large snow dog creations dotted in prominent places in Buxton in Derbyshire.

The colourful trail was inspired by the sequel to Raymond Briggs's The Snowman - The Snowman and the Snowdog.

Artists from across the country have decorated the sculptures, which will be auctioned off in December to raise money for the Blythe House Hospice in High Peak.

A snow dog called "Roodle" stands on The Slopes in Buxton and will be auctioned off on 19 December

The sculptures have been created by the same company that was behind the Ram Trail in Derby in 2021 and the Hoodwinked fundraiser in Nottingham in 2018.

Sophie Wheeldon, senior community fundraiser at Blythe House, said: "I think they are absolutely incredible.

"They are unique and it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us as a hospice and for Buxton to get something like this. It is beautiful to see them here in all their glory."

There are snow dogs outside the Crescent, the Opera House, the Palace Hotel and in Pavilion Gardens in the town.

They will be auctioned off on 19 December at the Palace Hotel and each one has a reserve price of £1,500.

Money will also be raised for the hospice from sales of a trail map that shows where all the sculptures were.

"Ru-dog", which stands on Spring Gardens, will have a reserve price of £1,500 when it goes up for auction

The trail has been created by the company Wild in Art, which is based in Whaley Bridge in Derbyshire.

Its Art and Learning manager Annie Laughrin said: "The Snowdog character is absolutely loved by children all over the country - so we wanted to bring this trail to this lovely spa town.

"To see these animating this beautiful, beautiful space and raising money for such a fantastic hospice looking after people in their darkest days is an incredible feeling."