Two new free trails will be run by Cheltenham BID throughout the summer - a Monster Hero Safari trail and an enhanced Augmented Reality (AR) version of the Hidden Cheltenham Trail.

The Monster Hero Safari is a town centre experience in which families are challenged to hunt down 10 monster superheroes, displayed in public windows, and learn their names, origin stories and powers.

Children will enjoy spotting the cute, colourful characters and learning all about them. When they've spotted all 10, they will win a free e-book with the characters' first adventure together.

The trail will lead groups to 10 locations (small independent traders and charity retailers) within the BID zone, where Near Field Communication (NFC) - a contactless communication technology - and QR codes will be used to identify the individual monsters.

The trail will raise funds for NHS Charities Together, which supports NHS staff and volunteers caring for Covid-19 patients, through a minimum £2 donation from participants.

The second is an enhanced Augmented Reality (AR) version of the Hidden Cheltenham Trail. By downloading an app and activating the AR at the 12 permanent trail points with a phone, participants will bring up historic information, fun facts, sounds and interactive challenges, creating a real-world experience in the palm of their hands.

This will connect to around 48 businesses, which will have coded QR stickers promoting the trail in their windows. The app will link users to summer offers and discounts at the businesses.

The monster trail will run from 13th July until 4th September and the Hidden Cheltenham Trail will start on 20th July. The Hidden Cheltenham Trail will be permanent, with enhancements and changes to follow in future school holidays.

Cheltenham BID is confident both trails can be played in a very safe and responsible manner. Players are likely to be in family/ small groups and will not need to enter any buildings to play. Display materials will discourage players from touching the windows/ posters and the BID will install markings around the windows, to give families space to interact with them one group at a time.