SCHOOLS and businesses in Cirencester will be leaping into action on Friday for the town’s first Red Hare Day.

The Cirencester March Hare Festival launched at the end of last month and runs throughout the summer.

Red Hare Days are planned for last Friday of each month and will see school children, businesses and residents all creating their own event to mark the special day.

Powell’s Primary School and Cirencester Primary School are getting involved in the first Red Hare Day with activities planned for children.

Cirencester Primary has an open morning from 9-10am where children and staff will unveil their own hare statue, created by artist Kimmy Thompson while Powell's School will be creating hare ears to wear during their special day.

Businesses involved include Gardiner Haskins in Dyer Street which has face painting from 11am-2pm on Saturday, April 26.

Cirencester shop Parlane Parlane on Silver Street will be having a special promotion on exclusivelt designed canvas shopping bags printed with a hand illustrated leaping hare.

Artist Katherine Dove has jumped at the chance of being involved with the event and spent over a week decorating a 5ft hare model at her pop-up exhibition, titled Cotswold Uncut, at New Brewery Arts.

People watched Katherine marble the hare and then paint it to create a woolly effect as the model will be moving into the Woolmarket when it is finished.

The Red Hare Day this month is this Friday, April 25.

See the Standard on Thursday, May 1 for pictures of the events.