SHOPPERS at Oxford’s Westgate Centre can enjoy a Grand Day Out by following a special Gromit trail.

Models of the dog much loved by fans of Wallace and Gromit, the clay animation comedy series created by Nick Park, have gone on show at the £440m centre, which opened in October.

Shoppers can buy a Gromit Unleashed map for £2 and follow the Easter trail of 10 sculptures throughout the centre.

Aardman Animations, which produces the Wallace and Gromit films, is based in Bristol and proceeds from the map trail will go towards The Grand Appeal is the Bristol Children’s Hospital Charity.

The trail, featuring seven Gromits and three sheep, will remain in place until Sunday, April 15.

Shoppers yesterday said they enjoyed tracking down all the Gromits.

Anthony Richards and wife Cheryl brought their children Jake, 15, and Sophie, 11, for a visit from Ashby-de-la Zouch in Leicestershire.

Sophie said: “I’m a big fan of Wallace and Gromit - we really enjoyed following the trail.”

Ivy Hooker, 70, from Faringdon, said: “It’s a clever idea because if you follow the trail you end up in parts of the centre you might not otherwise have visited so you get to see more shops.

“It’s great fun and I think this will encourage more people to come in to the centre.”

When the revamped complex reopened on October 24 there was an Alice in Wonderland-themed opening, featuring actors dressed in costumes, to pay tribute to the characters created by Oxford author Lewis Carroll.