SATURDAY, November 24, sees the Christmas in Crediton Parade and Lights Switch-On – and the launch of a treasure hunt with a twist, an Augmented Reality Elf Hunt!

Augmented Reality appeared at the 2017 Lights Switch-on event. Christmassy themed images around the town square could be viewed using a hand-held device, such as a smartphone or tablet. And, hey presto! The images came to life as Christmas animations.

Anyone can enter this year’s competition – you, too!

Hunt the elf by using a hand-held device to follow augmented reality clues. The first clue will be revealed in the Town Square on November 24.

Once you’ve followed the trail and found the naughty elf in his hiding place, take a “selfie with the elfie”. Load it up to the Christmas in Crediton “Facebook” page and you will have a chance of winning the first prize of £350 in Crediton Shopping Vouchers.

Thanks go to Crediton Chamber of Commerce for generously providing them and the second and third prize vouchers of £100 and £50 respectively.

On Christmas Eve the best selfies will be picked and the winners announced on the Christmas in Crediton “Facebook” page.

The competition is the brainchild of Dan Willers, owner of Yellow Mouse Studios Ltd, who said: “Augmented reality, or AR, has been around for a number of years now, however Yellow Mouse Studios has been pushing forward to make the technology available to local businesses and the council in a bid to enhance the experiences of Crediton’s locals and visitors.

“It is our intention to put Crediton on the map as the first interactive augmented reality town in the UK, if not the world, but it has to start with little steps. That’s why we have decided to give this unique experience to the town for Christmas.”

To take part in the Elf Hunt you will need to download the Zappar app from the App Store or Google Play. Once downloaded, simply open the app, zap the image on the Town Square Christmas Tree, and follow the clues.