THE winners of the festive Stirling Reindeer Trail have been announced.

Local schoolgirl Chloe MacCallum, 13, won an iPad after she tracked down all 20 reindeer at shops and businesses around the town.

The Stirling High pupil spent a dreich afternoon with her friend to complete the competition entry and had a great fun doing it.

At the same time, there was also cheer at Riverside Primary, which won the design competition with the reindeer they created.

The colourful creation netted the school a £200 cheque, which will be put to good use by procuring more art supplies.

Both prizes were presented by Mags Fenner, project manager at Go Forth Stirling, which organised the initiative.

Winner Chloe collected her prize with mum Jacquelynne, who said: “This is a great initiative and we’re so pleased Chloe was named the winner. 

“She and her friend Carys spent a wet Sunday walking around Stirling tracking down all the reindeer and had a great time.

“She also took part in the competition last year and it’s a challenge she really enjoys doing.

“I think the Reindeer Trail is an excellent idea because it gets children out and about doing something interesting and helps local businesses by encouraging people to visit Stirling’s shops.”

Over at Riverside Primary, acting head Michelle MacPhee was delighted.

She said: “The children loved taking part in the Reindeer Trail design competition and worked very hard together as a team.

“It’s a fantastic initiative and we’re thrilled that their creativity has been celebrated and recognised.”

The Riverside reindeer was the striking design of five children: Poppy Mawby ,10, Ella Jane Slater, 10, Isabella McGeough, 9, Alexander McQuaker, 9, and seven-year-old Connor Jones.

They named him Ralph and painted him in the school house colours of green, blue, red and yellow.

The quintet are part of an art club run by support for learning assistant Fay Thomson, who oversaw the project.

She added: “The children created their individual designs on the reindeer templates provided and then we picked bits from each one and brought them all together to use on the final design.

“They enjoyed coming up with their design and were then delighted to make it through to the next round and have the actual reindeer delivered to school for them to paint.

“They named him Ralph the Riverside Reindeer and it was great to see him in place in the Thistles and amazing to be the overall winner.”

The 20 reindeer have now retreated to a secret location, but are expected to return to Stirling later this year for the third time.