A NEW activity trail based on a children's book character is opening at Moors Valley Country Park this January.

From January 11, children will be able to follow the trail through Zog's forest classroom to learn more about the animals and habitats around them.

Zog, the loveable dragon from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s picture book, 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.

The 1.5km trail starts at the visitor centre, and will take families on a buggy-friendly journey through the woods.

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, the activity pack also includes a Zog mask, activity sheets, pencil and stickers.

Linda Laker, the Forestry Commission’s recreation manager for Dorset, said: “We are really excited to have Zog joining us at Moors Valley for 2019. There is so much for children to do, spot and discover as they join him on his adventures around the forest. We hope they and their families will really enjoy the new trail and learning all about the amazing animals and habitats we have here at Moors Valley.”

The launch of the trail follows the premiere of the Zog animated special from Magic Light Pictures, watched by over four million viewers on BBC One this Christmas. Other character-led trails at Moors Valley in recent years have featured the Gruffalo, Stick Man and Highway Rat.