A WEE COUNTY schoolboy was celebrating this week after being named the winner of Stirling's inaugural Reindeer Trail.

Werner Schiller, 8, and his mother Karin, won an iPad after successfully completing the popular initiative in the run up to Christmas.

Their entry was the first to be picked at random from more than 1,000 correct competition forms.

Karin, who lives in Menstrie, was presented with the tablet by Andrew Mitchell, chairman of Go Forth Stirling, the city's Business Improvement District, which organised the Stirling Reindeer Trail.

The Clacks mum said: "The trail was a great idea and it was wonderful to see children getting out and about to explore Stirling.

"It was good fun finding the reindeer in the various shops and we even picked up some Christmas presents along the way.

"Werner is over the moon to win the iPad and I'm delighted our entry was picked as the winner.

"We'll be looking forward to doing the Reindeer Trail again this year."

The popular Reindeer Trail was held during the 2018 festive season in a bid to increase footfall and circulation around Stirling city centre as well as create a fun and festive atmosphere for shoppers.

A herd of 20 life-size reindeer were designed and decorated by local schoolchildren before being given pride of place in shops and cafes.

Shoppers were encouraged to pick up a map containing the clues and find all the reindeer in a competition which could win them an iPad.

There were 2,000 entries for the contest with the winners picked at random from 1,241 correct and fully-completed forms.

Mr Mitchell, from Go Forth Stirling, said: "We were hoping to get at least 1,000 entries so were delighted to actually receive double that.

"The popularity of the Stirling Reindeer Trail exceeded the board's expectations and we're happy with just how popular it proved with local families and the traders who took part.

"It helped create a festive spirit around the city and increased the number of visitors around Stirling in the weeks leading up to Christmas."

In addition to the main winner, five runners-up are due to receive a series of prizes including a trip to Stirling Castle.

They are Ffion Roberts, from Stirling, who won a day pass to Stirling Castle; Morag Miller, from Airth, who won a tour of Stirling Old Town Jail; Amy Newhouse, from Bannockburn, who won a game at AMF Bowling Stirling; Gillian Cavin, from Dunblane, who won a gift card for the Vue Cinema and Lisa Main, from Doune, who won tickets to visit the Wallace Monument.

Meanwhile, the reindeer have returned to their secret location, but will be back for a second Stirling Reindeer Trail featuring new themes this winter.