A NEW mobile trail app featuring cartoon dogs based on real, Dales people has been launched in Skipton to enthusiastic acclaim.

Students from Ermysted’s Grammar School and Skipton Academy helped visitors and residents find their way around the Dogs’ Dales Augmented Reality (AR) app created by Virpi Kettu of award winning Kettu Studios.

AR is a new technology to make digital objects and characters appear through mobile devices, such as phones and tablets.

The Dogs’ Dales app is free to use and has been created as a boost to the town’s tourism and entertainment offer.

Virpi, who was in the town over last weekend with the students to launch the app, said it had received glowing reviews.

“This mobile app trail takes you through a short trail around Skipton town centre where the Global Positioning System (GPS) link will conjure cute dogs to interact with,” said Virpi.

“The dogs ask you some local heritage linked fun questions and in the end reward you with a ‘treat’ voucher to a local participating business.

“You can also play the game on the Dogs’ Dales postcards that are available from local shops and Dogs’ Dales.com online shop.”

Those taking part in the trail can dance with the dogs and pose for pictures to share, says Virpi.

“It is great fun to do together with family and friends of all ages. The app is free to download and its now always open to use around Skipton town and on the Dogs’ Dales postcards.”

The app is part of the upcoming animated Dogs’Dales TV series and multiple apps in other Yorkshire Dales towns linked to the story.

Virpi added: “The Dogs’Dales story takes inspiration of Yorkshire legends, locations and people telling the story of our heritage in a new fun and engaging way, including cute dancing dog characters.”

The Dogs’ Dales AR app is one of the flag ship projects funded by Historic England’s Skipton Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) initiative to revitalise rural town centres and seek to address economic, social and environmental change using arts, heritage and culture as the catalyst.