The Waddle of Worcester art trail began earlier this week - but it is not just the trail that is enjoying the limelight.

Plenty have flocked to the trail's pop-up store located in Crowngate's Chapel Walk since it opened.

Ran by volunteers of St Richard's Hospice, the organisation spearheading the city-wide Waddle of Worcester art trail, proceeds made in the store will go toward the city hospice's care.

The great Waddle of Worcester pop-up shop has been hugely busy during its opening days.The great Waddle of Worcester pop-up shop has been hugely busy during its opening days. (Image: Newsquest)

Volunteer recruitment ambassador Dawn Thorpe said: "It has been manic in the shop, people have been queueing out the door.

"The cuddly penguin toys have been one of the most popular items so far."

Trail maps are available at the shop for £1.

"Some people do like to have a physical map to have for the trail," she added.

The Great Waddle of Worcester mobile app has been developed too which is available from the App Store and Google Play and costs £1.99 to download.

All 80 penguin sculptures have their own QR code, enabling people to check-in at each stop on the trail with over 20,000 check-ins recorded on the app after just two days.

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Anne Bridgwater, who has volunteered for St Richard's Hospice for 18 months, said: "It's my first time volunteering in the shop, but it has been a great experience seeing so many people supporting the hospice."

Mrs Bridgwater, who worked as a nurse for the NHS until she retired in 2021, added: "I still wanted to give something back to the community."

Alongside a selection of pre-loved clothes and a shelf dedicated to second-hand Penguin books, the pop-up shop features an array of handcrafted, penguin-themed toys and homewares lovingly designed and donated by artists, hospice patients, and their families.

Official Waddle of Worcester merchandise is on display too, including a paint-your-own penguin set available for £15.

The pop-up shop is open from 10am until 4pm each day, seven days a week, and its last day will coincide with the end of the art trail on Sunday, September 15.

Following the trail, an auction will be held at DRPG in Hartlebury on Thursday, October 24 so the penguin sculptures can find new homes and raise money for the hospice.