A HIGH street's trail launch encourages children to help Santa out this Christmas in 'Pokemon Go'-style fun.

Families in Burnham will be able to track down ten cute Christmas animals this month in a free trail.

In a first of its kind Maldon District Council have teamed up with trail experts, High Street Safari, to run a free augmented reality trail along Burnham High Street.

Thanks to a cutting edge QR code and web-based platform the Santa Needs You trail is completely contactless and designed so anyone with a smartphone can take part.

The use of augmented reality means that youngsters also get to see the animals burst to life right in front of them.

It is a story-driven experience which families can complete in any order and is hoped to encourage people to get out, exercise and discover the small and independent businesses around Burnham.

In the story, Rudolph has taken the year off and opened his spot on the sleigh to the whole animal kingdom.

It is up to the people of Burnham to decide who should take his place on the sleigh by visiting the different characters around town and voting for their favourite animal on the trail.

A spokesman for Maldon District Council said: "The ten animals on the trail have been specially commissioned for the trail and have been modelled in 3D for augmented reality, ‘Pokémon Go’ style fun."

The trail takes around 45 to do and can be finished over multiple visits.

It’s completely free to take part and participants will be in with a chance of winning an e-book at the end which concludes the story.

Some participating businesses are also offering extra incentives to come in during the visit.

This activity is supported by funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of Welcome Back Fund.

The trail launches today and will run until December 31.

To find out more visit santaneedsyoutrail.com.