CHILDREN’S favourite the Gruffalo is coming to Dalby Forest to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the picture books.

Visitors can join Mouse on his adventure and explore Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s award-winning tale through an official activity trail, which will also run in 27 other forests across England until the end of September.

From June, a giant wooden sculpture of one of the world’s best-loved monsters himself will be hidden in Dalby Forest, while another 14 of the 7ft tall sculptures will be hidden in forests across England for families to track down.

Visitors are also invited to gather with family and friends at Dalby Forest on Saturday, June 7, to celebrate the Gruffalo’s anniversary with a birthday picnic.

Daryl Shute, from Magic Light Pictures, the company responsible for the award-winning animated Gruffalo films, said: “The Gruffalo encourages followers to explore the real world with imagination, creativity and a true sense of adventure.

“With emphasis on learning and the great outdoors, Forestry Commission England is the perfect partner, and we’re delighted to be teaming up with them in this anniversary year to launch these exciting new series of trails across the country.”

He added: “The Gruffalo lives in the natural world so a local forest is the perfect place to set out with Mouse on his journey in search of these magnificent new wooden carvings of one of the nation’s favourite children’s picture book characters.” Tanya Rex, Dalby Forest recreation and public affairs manager, said: “There is no better way to celebrate the Gruffalo than within the deep, dark woods and forests that he calls home. He is a national treasure and so are our forests and this partnership will really help to bring the story to life and celebrate the anniversary in true Gruffalo style.

“All the activities have been carefully positioned at Forestry Commission sites across the country so you are never more than an hour away from a Gruffalo adventure and we can’t wait to kick-off the celebrations with the Official Gruffalo activity trail at Dalby.”

Details of trails and sculpture locations and the forest birthday picnic party pack are available from forestry.gov.uk/gruffalo