THE Forestry Commission is launching an activity trail at Alice Holt Forest next week based on Zog, the loveable dragon from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s magical picture book.

Open from Friday, January 11, children can follow the trail through Zog’s forest classroom to learn more about the animals and habitats around them.

Created by West Sussex-based writer Julia Donaldson, Zog is always striving to win a golden star at Dragon School as he learns essential skills including flying, roaring, breathing fire and capturing princesses.

Children can join him in his journey by completing challenges to win their own gold stars as they find out more about how animals fly, what sounds they make and how they catch their prey.

There will be lots of different dragons to spot along the trail plus hidden images to find that children can reveal by using a special coloured lens in their activity pack. Available to buy from the visitor centre for £3, the activity pack also includes a Zog mask, activity sheets, pencil and stickers.

The self-led trail will begin at the visitor centre and follow a one kilometre, buggy-friendly route through the habitat trail area.

Neil Lewis, the Forestry Commission’s recreation manager for Alice Holt Forest, said: “We are really excited to have Zog joining us at Alice Holt for 2019, especially as he was created not far from here in West Sussex. There is so much for children to do, spot and discover as they join him on his adventures. We hope they and their families will really enjoy visiting the new trail and learning all about the amazing animals and habitats we have here in the Forest.”

The launch of the trail follows the premiere of the Zog animated special from Magic Light Pictures, watched by more than four million viewers on BBC One this Christmas. It is the latest in a series of successful character-led trails at Forestry Commission sites across England in recent years including ones featuring the Gruffalo, Stick Man and Highway Rat.

For details of trails and free downloadable activity sheets, visit forestryengland.uk/zog.

Alice Holt Forest is situated off the A325 between Farnham and Bordon.