A CHOCOLATE treasure hunt taking families around Winchester has been launched in the build-up to a cycling event through the city.

The new Criterium Trail invites children to hunt for wheel-shaped clues hidden in city centre shops ahead of June's Criterium and CycleFest.

They can be rearranged into a cycle-themed word to claim a prize from Montezuma's Chocolates.

The trail is open now and finishes on Saturday, June 6 ahead of the CycleFest starting guns on Sunday, June 7.

Free quiz sheets can be collected from Winchester Tourist Information Centre or downloaded from winchestercriterium.org/trail. Completed forms should be taken to Montezuma's, who are also running a competition to win a year's chocolate club membership. Fellow sponsor Hargroves is offering a £250 voucher at www.hargrovescycles.co.uk/Winchester-crit.

For more details, call Amanda Ford, the Criterium's head of sport and physical activity, on 01962 848272 or email info@winchestercriterium.org.