Hippos thundering into North Walsham

The streets, shops and schools of North Walsham are set to burst with a blaze of artistic colour as a herd of 50 decorated hippos thunders into town for half term week.

The streets, shops and schools of North Walsham are set to burst with a blaze of artistic colour as a herd of 50 decorated hippos thunders into town for half term week.

The herd - also known as a 'pod' or 'bloat' - will appear across town on Saturday morning, the first day of the long awaited Hippo Hunt.

Excitement among children and adults has been growing over recent weeks as they design, paint and name their individual hippos.

In the wild the animals are the third-largest land mammal by weight and legendary for their speed and ferociousness. But the North Walsham hippos will be static during the daytime as hunters tick them off their spotting lists.

Although some of them will be moved indoors during the evenings, many can still be viewed through the windows of their 'babysitting' shops or businesses.

The number of people coming to follow the trail, which runs until a week on Sunday, remains unknown. But organisers are already aware of visitors coming from as far afield as Devon and Kent, let alone those from closer to home.

Outlying communities including Ludham, Worstead, Bacton and Mundesley are all involved in the event, so interest is expected to be high, with a positive impact on the town's businesses.

Students at North Walsham High School have been among those busy getting ready for the Hippo Hunt, decorating two large hippos.

Pictured here are hippos 'Androgynous' and 'Run Wild', alongside some of those responsible for their design and decoration.

Turn to page three for further details and more photographs of North Walsham's hippos.