Britain’s biggest snowflake will help kickstart the countdown to Christmas when it lands in Liverpool’s Williamson Square, it has been announced.

The illuminated eight-metre high festive feature will be unveiled on 19 November, and will also mark the start of a city centre-wide Snowflake Trail.

Devised by the Liverpool BID Company, the spectacular seasonal event will also see 12 other 1.5-meter high snowflake sculptures, designed by artists from across the UK, placed in key locations.

The public will be invited to take part in the trail by picking up one of the distributed or downloadable maps to discover the snowflakes and solve the puzzle, to be in with a chance of winning a series of prizes worth more than £5,000.

Bill Addy, chief executive of Liverpool BID Company, says: “The Snowflake Trail has been created to give visitors a unique Christmas experience in Liverpool city centre.

“It’s going to take people on a magical journey discovering wonderful works of art in beautiful locations. We’ve been thrilled watching the artists transform the snowflake sculptures.”

A limited edition version of the trail map will also feature a new story specially commissioned for the six-week event, called ‘The First Snowflake’, focusing on a 10-year-old boy called Alfie who goes on an adventure with Jack Frost.

A giant 2.5-metre wide book featuring the story’s opening chapter will sit next to the giant snowflake in Williamson Square, opposite the Liverpool Playhouse theatre.

Running until 3 January, the free Snowflake Trail event is part of Liverpool’s wider ‘One Magical City’ campaign, which gets underway in Liverpool ONE today (13 November).

The trail also features a series of specially devised light and sound installations that will create swirling snowstorms in several city centre streets, while smart phone users can use an augmented reality app to bring the map and selected window displays to life.

Charlotte Corrie, director of arts organisation Open Culture, which has creatively produced The Snowflake Trail, says: “Rather than have one spectacular event on a single night, we wanted to use Liverpool as a theatrical stage to be enjoyed over the whole festive period. Using light, sound and sculpture The Snowflake Trail is designed to transform the city centre into an atmospheric celebration of winter and all the Christmas magic that it brings.

‘’Our main character Jack Frost scatters snowflakes around the city centre with his mischievous sprites. We wanted to bring that story to life for children and adults alike. We’re delighted with The First Snowflake – it beautifully captures the spirit of Christmas!”

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