'Herdwick sheep' to invade Lake District for charity

The sheep will be in locations such as the Theatre by the Lake in Keswick and on top of a boat in Windermere

A flock of decorated model sheep is set to invade the Lake District in a bid to raise £1.3m for charity.

The Go Herdwick project will see up to 60 life-sized ewes, made from glass-reinforced plastic, form an art trail between Keswick and Windermere.

Part of the Lake District Calvert Trust's 40th anniversary, it is hoped the art will raise funds for a new facility at their Old Windebrowe site.

Each sculpture is sponsored by a local business and decorated by an artist.

The sheep will pop-up in unexpected places on buildings, in shops and on boats along the 555 bus route across Rydal, Grasmere, Ambleside, Keswick and Windermere from Easter 2016.

Lake District Calvert Trust business manager, Justin Farnan, said: "We're extremely excited about the launch of the Go Herdwick project.

"The response we have received so far from sponsors, artists and members of the public has been fantastic and we're confident that the project will be a huge success, benefitting not only visitors to the Calvert Trust but also the local community."

So far the trust has artist's for 43 of the sheep

Inspired by London and Bristol's Shaun the Sheep figures, at the end of the six months, the Herdwicks will be rounded-up and auctioned for the trust.

The charity, which provides outdoor holidays for people with disabilities, will use the money to develop the Grade II listed building at Old Windebrowe into a rehabilitation centre for people recovering from strokes and for those with brain injuries.

Herdwick sheep are native to the Lake District and often graze at heights of about 3,000ft (915 metres).

Recognised as one of the hardiest British sheep breeds, in 2013 it was awarded protected status by the European Commission.