A POPULAR and much-loved town festival will be coming to an end in just one month's time.

After brightening the town with a drove of more than 50 five foot tall colourful hares, the Cirencester March Hare Festival will be coming to a close on October 24.

The sculpture was due to finish at the beginning of October with a gala auction of all the decorated model hares at the King's Head Hotel.

However, due to popularity and demand for auction tickets, the event has proved too big for the hotel and will now take place at Cirencester Bingham Hall at the end of next month.

Excited festival fans from all over the country have set their sights on the hare model they want to win, with one eager woman visiting Harriet the Hare every day, determined to be the highest bidder.

Moore Allen and Innocent’s Philip Allwood will be hosting the auction which will raise money for the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and the Churn Walkway project.

People will be able to say farewell to the hares at a special event before they are auctioned off.

"The Farewell to the Hares is the last chance to see them all together before they are sold off and could end up anywhere around the world," said festival organiser Florence Beetlestone.

Farewell to the Hares is from Saturday, September 27 until Friday, October 3 from 10.30am-4.30pm at weekends and 12.30-4.30pm during the week. Children are free and adults but adults are asked to make a donation of £1.

Tickets for the Gala Auction are available from Bingham House and Moore Allen and Innocent and cost £30. This guarantees a seat and includes drinks and a canapé style supper on the night.

An exclusive table of 10 can also be purchased for this gala event.

For more information call 01285 655646.