A special Easter egg hunt inspired by Rugby World Cup 2015 kicks off along the Exe Estuary Trail this spring.

The Exe Egg Chase will run during the Easter holidays, starting on Saturday March 28 and running through to Sunday April 12.

People taking part have to find small, Rugby-ball shaped chocolate eggs which are hidden at a number of businesses along the estuary trail route including, Saddles & Paddles, Toby Buckland Plant Centre, Stuart Line Cruises, Darts Farm, the Salutation Inn and Double Locks.

The Rugby eggs can be found by following clues downloaded from www.heartofdevon.com/exe-egg-chase

Each business will also have a clue sheet so ‘egg chasers’ can start the trail from different points along the route.

As well as finding chocolate Rugby eggs along the Exe Estuary Trail, people who have answered the clue questions correctly will be entered into a draw to win a top Easter prize – an official Rugby World Cup 2015 Exeter Host City Rugby ball, half day family cycle hire from Saddles & Paddles and tickets to the Toby Buckland Garden Festival from the Toby Buckland Plant Centre. 

Chasers are encouraged to post their adventures on Twitter and Facebook whilst taking part in the Easter egg hunt, using the hashtag #ExeEggChase, and also uploading photos, including selfies, shots of the estuary and eating the chocolate eggs.

Victoria Hatfield, of the Heart of Devon Tourism Partnership, which has organised the Exe Egg Chase, said: “We are really excited to launch the fun and active Exe Egg Chase. It will be a great way to get the whole family outside this spring.

“Chasers are encouraged to walk, run or cycle the trail. They will get to visit some of our great local attractions along the Exe Estuary whilst finding chocolate Rugby ball eggs. We would like to thank all the businesses that are involved.”

The Exe Estuary Trail is a 26-mile cycle route and walkway, which runs around the entire estuary, linking Exmouth, Exeter and Dawlish. The last part of the route was completed by Devon County Council in November 2014.

The Estuary offers a diverse habitat for wildlife to settle resulting in it being designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), a Special Protection Area (SPA), a Ramsar Site (internationally important area for birdlife) and is a candidate Special Area of Conservation.

To find out more about the trail go to http://www.heartofdevon.com/exe-egg-chase