BRIGHTLINGSEA residents have been out and about on the hunt for mini Bateman’s Towers.

Pottery painter Lucy Weaver, who runs Pink Parrot Pottery, joined forces with businesses around the town to create a hunt with a difference over the Easter holidays.

In honour of the town’s iconic landmark, Bateman’s Tower, Lucy painted 23 mini ceramic lighthouses, each designed with a different theme, and placed them in shop windows for people to try and spot.

Trail maps were sold, with all proceeds going to the Brightlingsea-run charity ‘Porridge and Pens, Ghana’, which funds a school for impoverished children in Kumasi, Ghana.

Bunny ears - seven-year-old Lottie Foster

Bunny ears - seven-year-old Lottie Foster

More than 200 people had taken part heading into the weekend and almost £400 had been raised, with the trail continuing until Saturday.

The idea behind it was to provide a Covid-safe activity for people over the Easter holidays, while also regenerating interest and visitors to the High Street ahead of the scheduled reopening of non-essential shops today.

Thumbs up - Teddy William

Thumbs up - Teddy William

Each participant received a badge and entry into a prize draw to win one of the towers to paint themselves.

Lucy said: "The response was fantastic and I’m so pleased with the feedback we received.

"People loved hunting for the towers and said it was an ideal holiday activity, while so many other leisure facilities remain closed due to the pandemic."

Pottery painter - Lucy Weaver created the towers and hid them around Brightlingsea

Pottery painter - Lucy Weaver created the towers and hid them around Brightlingsea

Replicas of the towers can be ordered from www.facebook.com/pinkparrotpottery, with £5 from each sale going to Brightlingsea charities.

The trail ran alongside another initiative called the Brightlingsea Badge Challenge.

Easter fun - Teddy William and Anna Beskorowajny

Easter fun - Teddy William and Anna Beskorowajny

Launched in January, the challenge was devised by Lucy in partnership with artist Olivia Goddard, who runs Brightlingsea-based gift shop Little Boat Gifts.

Together they designed a range of badges that participants can earn by completing a number of activities, such as home baking and arts and crafts.

Ready to be hunted - the mini Batemans Towers

Ready to be hunted - the mini Bateman's Towers

Each badge comes in bronze, silver or gold and can be purchased for £2 each, with all profits going to local charities.

Tower of strength - one of the mini Batemans Towers

Tower of strength - one of the mini Bateman's Towers

In just three months, the scheme has raised over £1,000 and helped 15 charities, including the Brightlingsea Foodbank.