Easter bunnies will get a run for their money as the spring holiday animal of choice this weekend as 24 miniature Henson piglets will be going on tour to the Three Counties Showground, Gloucester Docks and the Museum of Gloucester.

Members of the public will be voting for their favourite design to be turned in to a full-size Henson pig sculpture sponsored by The Citizen and Gloucestershire Live.

It will be among the other 39 works of art for this summer's Royal Three Counties Show Gloucestershire Old Spots Trail Starring Henson Pig.

For the last week, the piglets have been receiving their paint jobs from children who have won competitions at primary schools, scouts and other children's groups from all over the county.

Fittingly, the voting begins this Thursday at CountryTastic, the fun farming event at the Three Counties Showground in Malvern.

Families can go along to the event and view the colourful piglets before voting for their favourite design.

The Royal Three Counties Show is the main sponsor of the Gloucestershire Old Spots Trail and Gloucestershire will be the host county this year for June's event.

The mini Hensons will also meet Adam Henson for the first time.

The pigs are named after the presenter of BBC's Countryfile and his late father, Joe, who along with his colleagues set up the Rare Breed Survival Trust.

The next stop for the piglets will be at the Gloucester Quays Spring Fest where they will spend four days (Good Friday to Easter Monday) on display at the family event.

Visitors can find the piglets in amongst the Easter adventurers tackling assault courses, Peter Rabbit's magical wood and near the Live Lawn Music Stage and market stalls.

Their final destination will be at the Museum of Gloucester's Café Nerva from Tuesday, 18 April where people can cast their vote until 29 April.

Voting will also be open online at www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk until the polls close at 5pm on 30 April.

The winner of the competition will be announced at lunchtime on Wednesday 3 May.

Jenny Eastwood, editor of the Gloucester Citizen and Gloucestershire Live, will decide on the final winner from the top five designs with the most votes in the poll.

She said: "We are delighted with the standard of entries for the sculpture trail and the effort put in by the schools and groups. Henson would look great in any of these designs so good luck to all the finalists."

CountryTastic takes place on Thursday at the Three Counties Showground in Malvern. Tickets are  £8 for adults, £5 for under-16s and free for under-fours.

Tickets must be bought in advance and no tickets will be available on the day.

Gloucester Quays Springfest started last Saturday and runs until 23 April at Gloucester Docks. Entry is free.

The Museum of Gloucester is open from Tuesday to Saturday and entry to the café is free.

For more information about voting and terms and conditions visit www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk