A Safari has landed in Melksham, with six green animals dotted around the town - but not everyone is happy with their arrival.

The aim is to get people exploring the town by following the animal trail map and ticking each animal off as they go.

But it seems there has been a backlash to the concept, according to Melksham Town Council.

A spokesperson for the council said: “In response to the criticism of Green Animals, I would like to confirm to residents that MTC has spent zero funds on this initiative.

“It forms part of a grant from Westminster via Wiltshire Council and the services have been provided directly as part of this grant. No funds have been exchanged.

“Councillors had the choice between taking the attractions or not taking them and after a lengthy and thoughtful debate, particularly about the environmental concerns, the majority felt that it was better to provide the town's residents with a free activity to do in the summer.

“There is an age-old moral question that all of us have to reckon with when pursuing human pleasure while deciding on the amount of environmental damage we consider acceptable.

“To be an environmental purist you would have to not reproduce and sit in a chair until expiring.

“In this dilemma, Council chose to allow the damage to the environment based on the multi-year reusing of the green animals in hundreds of other towns and cities in pursuit of rolling out a free attraction, to residents and to the council, which would bring pleasure to residents and visitors.”

The trail is still in Melksham if you are looking to get involved, with it starting at the Market Place, outside the Town Hall, with people then being encouraged to set off towards the centre of town, passing the mini pop-up park, and the ancient Kings Arms public house.

It has been a reminder to people in the town of how environmental issues are addressed- the council noted.

Their spokesperson added: “We respect anyone who is trying to further an understanding of good environmental practices, and will never stand in the way of those who wish to peacefully protest in pursuit of a worthy cause. We think it is positive that these green animals have sparked this debate, because at its core - these animals represent the cost and benefit decisions that we all have to make every day.”