YOUNG shoppers took part in a treasure hunt for Easter bunnies on Saturday.

Bosses at the Market Place shopping centre in Bolton planted hundreds of fluffy Easter bunnies in the shops - and invited children to hunt for them.

One lucky youngster was six-year-old Eleanor Goodall, who found her rabbit in Adams childrenswear shop.

Eleanor, a pupil at Egerton Primary School, said: "I'm pleased I found the bunny, I am going to call him Furry."

Chloe Norris, aged nine, from Breightmet, also found her bunny in Adams.

The St Osmund's Primary School pupil said: "I don't know what I'm going to call him. I'll need to think about it, but it's made this shopping trip much more interesting."

Six-year-old Patrick Kitchen, of Egerton, was delighted with his rabbit.

Patrick, who attends Walmsley CE Primary School, said: "This is better than chocolate. I'm going to call him Bouncey."

Staff at the shopping centre came up with the idea as a way of keeping youngsters amused during a Saturday shopping trip with mum.

Rod Neesham, the Market Place shopping centre manager, said: "The Easter bunny hunt was a lively event for children and it was great that lots of kids came along to the centre to take part."

l Children will have a chance to have their face painted for free each day up to Friday. Expert face painters will be outside Adams between 10.30am and 4pm.