A 'LITTLE village with a big heart' has launched a treasure hunt to raise residents' spirits during the lockdown.

The Big Burn Heart Hunt in Burn, near Selby, involves seven rainbow-coloured hearts, designed by local young jewellery designer Esme Holmes, which are being hung one a day around the village, with clues as to where they are hidden posted online on the village website and Facebook pages.

Esme said: “Despite the scary times in which we find ourselves, let’s not forget that love is all around us, and while social distancing has resulted in us feeling isolated, remember we’re in this together and we can show that we’re thinking of each other.”

Organisers say that given the village isn’t that large, the answers to clues need to be within walking distance and the need to observe social distancing rules.

Meanwhile, villagers are also tackling the practical challenges posed by the lockdown, with a raft of volunteers assembled to help with essential shopping or other urgent needs.

Every property has also been leafleted to flag up the initiatives and promote a new take-out and delivery food service by the village pub, The Wheatsheaf.

Burn parish council chair Chris Phillipson said: “We always believed Burn had a great community spirit, nurtured over the years through our various fun events and the Big Heart Hunt is just another example."