FAMILIES shopping in Bolton should keep their eyes peeled for Cheshire Cats peering at them.

The Octagon Theatre has launched a competition to give people the chance to win a family ticket to the Christmas production of Alice in Wonderland.

Thirty cats have escaped from the Octagon and hidden themselves inside and outside various shops and buildings around Bolton.

Anyone who is beady-eyed enough to spot them should take a picture and share it on Twitter using the handle @OctagonTheatre.

The tale of Alice in Wonderland will be on at the Octagon from Friday, November 14, to Saturday, January 10 — a mesmerising and entertaining festive treat that promises to transport audiences down the rabbit hole and into another world.

Elizabeth Newman, Octagon associate director, said: “Alice in Wonderland is a beloved children’s story that generations of families will have known and shared over many, many years.

“This new adaptation will remain true to the well-known and much-loved characters that are so familiar to us all, but with a few twists and additions to the tale that will put the Octagon’s distinctive mark on this production.

“ It will feature totally original songs performed live on stage and will have quite a few other surprises as well.”

For each different Cheshire Cat people snap, their name will be entered into a prize draw and three winners will receive family tickets for a date of their choice.