WORLD Cup fever has come to Bovey Tracey.

With excitement building over the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, the town has created its own World Cup crowd‑pleaser, with local children’s kit designs stealing the spotlight.

The Mare and Foal Sanctuary’s shop in Bovey Tracey has become a gallery of children’s artwork this summer, thanks to a simple idea that has brought the community together.

The shop on Fore Street invited primary school pupils from Bovey Tracey Academy to design and colour their own World Cup football kits to feature in a special window display.

Families have been able to spot their children’s creations every time they walked past the shop, adding a personal touch to the town’s World Cup celebrations.

Shop Manager Cassie Wheaton first approached the school with the idea earlier this year.

Then the shop team created and printed special colouring sheets which went home in school bags. The completed designs soon came back to the shop, ready to take pride of place in the window.

The result was a bright, eye-catching display of unique football kit designs, each one labelled with the child’s name.

Children have been visiting the window with family and friends to point out their work, turning a quick trip into town into a moment of pride.

Cassie feels the response from children and parents has been very positive.

She said: ‘It’s worked really well and we thought it would be a nice way to involve the local community in the charity and our window displays.

‘We have loved working with Bovey Tracey Academy and hope to involve them again soon for another one or two window displays, possibly for the summer carnival.’

A spokesman for Bovey Tracey Academy said: ‘

The children absolutely loved getting stuck in and creating their own football art for The Mare and Foal Sanctuary window.

‘They were buzzing with excitement and put so much effort into making their designs as bright and colourful as possible. We had such a great time joining in with them.’

The Mare and Foal Sanctuary is the South West’s largest horse welfare charity, with four sanctuary sites in Devon.

Its four charity shops in the South Devon area play a key role in raising funds to care for more than 550 rescued horses, ponies and foals, as well as supporting the charity’s education and outreach work.

Residents who stopped to admire the window were encouraged to step inside, find out more about the Sanctuary’s work and support the charity by donating or buying good quality items.

Even small purchases help the Sanctuary to continue providing expert care for horses and ponies in need, both in the South West and through its wider welfare work.