There's a new buzz about town and this time it's got nothing to do with bees.
Leap forward Stockport's frogs.
A total of 19 brightly-painted frog sculptures have gone on display around the town for Stockport’s Giant Leap Frog Art Trail.
News of the trail caused quite a stir when we had a sneaky peek at some of the designs last week.
And yesterday they were revealed in full ahead of the official launch date this Saturday, June 29.
The colourful frogs, each with an individual design, are on their own lily pads and placed at various locations including St Peter's Square and Market Place.
Characters include 'dapper digital dude' KermIT, Mrs Mersey - the Hoppy Shopper, This Little Froggy Went to Market and more.
Thousands of maps are available, including those included in the Totally Stockport magazine, and if you can't get your hands on one they can be downloaded here .
Mayor of Stockport , Laura Booth, joined over 90 guests - sponsors, artists, community groups, local businesses and project partners - at the town's Light cinema for the official launch of the trail on Friday afternoon.
Swipe right through the gallery to see more of the frogs from the trail
The trail, organised by Stockport’s Business Improvement District branded as Totally Stockport, aims to offer visitors 'a fun, unique and engaging brand new art trail... something that Stockport has never seen before'.
The project was originally conceived two years ago and Mike Lamont, chair of Stockport’s Business Improvement District, praised the determination of the project team in bringing it to fruition.
He said: "Two years ago Paul Taylor, BID manager, and Helen White from Marketing Stockport, came up with the idea to create a fantastic art trail around the town centre that could match on scale the bees, bulls and elephants either in concept or being delivered in other locations.
"It was a bold statement and today it has become reality, an inspiring story to showcase some of the great changes that are attracting new visitors making Stockport a popular destination.
"A massive thank you to our corporate sponsors, artists, partners and suppliers who have created what I believe will a legacy for our town."
Nick Yates, managing director at Future Design, created the original sketch for what is quickly becoming an iconic image in Stockport.
Businesses who sponsored a giant frog include Amshire IT Solutions, BASF, C&C Insurance Brokers, CDL, Concentrix, Girlguiding Stockport, Holiday Inn Express, Light Cinema, Marketing Stockport, Merseyway Shopping Centre, Nexperia, Orbit Developments, Robinsons Brewery, Spring & Co, Stagecoach, Stockport Council and Totally Stockport.
After the trail closes, the frogs will be auctioned with surplus funds awarded to charity to create a Giant Leap legacy fund.
It will run from June 29 until September 28 and has its own website here .
