International Football Flag Trail brings family fun and big prizes to Accrington town centre this Saturday

An exciting international football-themed flag trail is set to take over Accrington town centre this Saturday, offering families the chance to enjoy a day of football fun, free activities and incredible prizes as part of Hyndburn's International Football Celebration, which got underway with huge success last Saturday.

Taking place on Accrington Market from 10am until 2pm, the free International Flag Trail will challenge children to find a variety of international flags hidden around market stalls and match each country to the correct location on their entry card.

More than 8,000 entry cards have been distributed to 37 local primary schools, while additional cards will be available from the Pride in Place tent on Broadway throughout the day.

Once completed, entry cards should be returned to the Pride in Place tent, where the first 150 participants will receive a free football horn. Everyone who takes part will also be entered into a free prize draw featuring an incredible selection of prizes, including a PlayStation 5, a 50-inch television, an England football shirt, a signed Shaun Whalley Accrington Stanley shirt and a copy of EA Sports FC 26.

The flag trail forms part of a football adventure day taking place across Accrington town centre, with free family activities on Broadway from 10am.

Visitors will be able to test their skills at the free goal challenge delivered by Accrington Stanley Community Trust, where anyone who scores three goals in a row can win a free replica football, available while stocks last. There will also be a number of free flyaway footballs for those taking part (available while stocks last).

Football fans will also have the chance to meet players from Accrington Stanley Women at 12pm on Broadway, with opportunities for photographs and some friendly kick-up competitions. A free football selfie zone will also be available throughout the day.

Alongside the entertainment, residents will be encouraged to have their say on the future of Hyndburn through the Pride in Place programme. Visitors can speak to the team at the Pride in Place tent and share their views on how £20 million of funding should be invested to help shape the future of the town.

Anyone unable to attend the event can still share their views online by completing the Pride in Place survey at: https://www.rdf.agency/hyndburn-feedback/

Sami Smithson, chair of the Accrington Neighbourhood Board, said: "We are delighted to be bringing the International Football Flag Trail to Accrington town centre and creating another exciting attraction for local families to enjoy.

"It's a fun, interactive activity that will get children exploring the market, learning about different nations and enjoying the fantastic football-themed celebrations taking place across the town centre.

"We want Accrington town centre to be a vibrant place where families can come together and enjoy great experiences, and this event is a perfect example of that.

"There are some fantastic prizes up for grabs, plenty of free activities to enjoy and a great atmosphere for football fans of all ages.

"While you're there, please take the opportunity to visit the Pride in Place tent and tell us what matters most to you.

"We want as many residents as possible to help shape how this £20 million investment is spent, so this is a great chance to have your say on the future of Hyndburn."

A representative from Maundy Relief, who was running stalls selling records on the same day as the first event, said how successful the event had been in helping them raise money for Maundy.

Angie’s Happy Cluckers on Accrington Market also commented how they had seen an increase in trade during the first event last Saturday.

The International Football Flag Trail and football adventure day take place in Accrington town centre on Saturday, with free activities running from 10am on Broadway.

The events are part of the Pride in Place project which will invest £20m into Accrington town centre, run by the Accrington Pride in Place board in partnership with Hyndburn Borough Council and funded by the UK Government.