Meet the Trentlings: Burton's newest residents are popping up all over The Washlands

Burton has produced plenty of famous names over the years. Bass, Marmite, and now... a magical river monster with the town's highest Burton Points score.

This summer, East Staffordshire Borough Council is introducing the Trentlings – 12 mischievous characters inspired by Burton's history, industries, nature and legends, all waiting to be discovered around The Washlands.

Think Pokémon, but with considerably more hops, history and horticulture.

Using the free Discover East Staffordshire Trails app, families can follow the Trentlings Trail, uncover each character in augmented reality, snap selfies together and learn a few surprising facts about Burton along the way. There's also a quiz to test whether all that exploring has sunk in.

Every Trentling has its own Burton backstory.

There's Trentor, the mighty guardian of the River Trent, naturally claiming the highest Burton Points score. Modwen honours the town's founding saint, while Alaburton pays tribute to Burton's medieval alabaster industry. Hopleaf, Wheator and Cottono celebrate the crops and industries that helped build Burton's reputation long before anyone invented Wi-Fi.

The remaining Trentlings are inspired by the colourful flowers of Stapenhill Gardens, proving that even Burton's flowerbeds can become local celebrities.

If simply finding the Trentlings isn't competitive enough, there's also a collectible card game.

Available from The Brewhouse Arts Centre later this month, each pack contains four random characters, complete with their own stats including Burton Points, Friendliness and Curiosity. Players can battle friends by choosing a category, creating unlikely showdowns such as Trentor versus Hopleaf or Alaburton taking on Calendula.

It might just be the only card game where a lump of medieval stone can convincingly defeat a flower.

Keep your eyes peeled too for rare shiny cards, which are sure to become the prize of any collection.

The Trentlings were co-created by local trail designer Tilley Bancroft, owner of Making Trails and Vice Chair of the Burton Place Steering Group, alongside local writer and geographer Helen Young, working with East Staffordshire Borough Council to ensure every character is firmly rooted in Burton's genuine history.

Councillor Paul Walker, Cabinet Member for Tourism and Cultural Development, said:

"Burton upon Trent is a place of rich history, heritage and culture. The Trentlings trail and collectable game is a modern and exciting way to reimagine these stories, bringing them to life for families, residents and young people this summer."

Whether you're aiming to catch all 12, hunt down a shiny card or simply enjoy an excuse for a summer stroll, the Trentlings offer a fun new way to see Burton through fresh eyes.

And if anyone asks why you're wandering around The Washlands talking to invisible creatures through your phone, just tell them you're doing important historical research.

Find out more: burtonupontrent.org.uk/trentlings