POLICE in Malmesbury have been visiting the area’s primary schools to help raise awareness over the anxiety that can be caused by hurling eggs at householders during trick or treating.

They launched a ‘make your egg a treat, not a trick’ competition involving youngsters demonstrating their art skills.

Sergeant Phil Connor of Malmesbury Neighbourhood Police Team said: “We decided to invite the children to assist us in raising awareness of the distress that can be caused when eggs are thrown whilst trick or treating over the Halloween festivities.”

Each participating child was given a card made from recycled materials to decorate as an egg-shaped treat instead of a trick.

A winning egg was chosen by police from each year in each of the schools, and can now be seen at Malmesbury Police Facebook Page for the duration of the half term break.

Visitors are being asked to click the ‘like’ button at the bottom of the photos of the ones they like best.

Sgt Connor said: “The school with the most likes at the end of the holiday break will be the overall winners.

“There will be prizes for the children whose eggs receive the most likes and winners will be announced after the half term break.”