Ref. 72699-19PUPILS from a Swindon school were winding their way through the town's shopping centre, when they became the first to trek the New Town trail.

The Year 6 pupils from Even Junior School were learning about the history of the centre's buildings and monuments as they walked from the Town Hall to The Parade. But they had to cut their trip short because of bad weather on Tuesday.

Wayne Smith, teacher of the Year 6 class, said: "It was a shame we had to call off the trek, because the kids were really enjoying it.

"We will continue with the trip in a couple of weeks."

Another trail that runs from the outlet centre to St Mark's Church was launched last year, and includes an underground tunnel that runs from Steam railway museum to the main shopping centre.

Both trails, which have a quiz to complete, are organised by the New Swindon Company, Town Centre Management, Swindon Initiative and Swindon Council.

Jan Tierney, from the New Swindon Company, said the new trail is still being tested, but hopes it will be a success.

She said: "We developed the trails to highlight the heritage of Swindon and make people more aware of them. Hopefully tourists and visitors will spend a bit longer here rather than just coming to do their shopping."

To get copies of trail maps visit www.swindonheritagetowntrails. org.uk

At present, the only way people can follow the trail routes is by printing the maps from the Swindon Heritage Town Trails website.

But Mrs Tierney hopes that they will become a physical reality in the future.

She said: "We have been working with a number of artists and people in the community to try and develop some signs or a marked pathway for the trails."