EASTER "bunny girls" took a trip around the shops of York at the weekend.

Two York students, wearing in Easter bunny costumes, entertainined children and handed out gifts at Monks Cross shopping Park.

Prizes were offered from WH Smith for lucky winners who helped the Monk Cross bunnies find Flopsy, Mopsy, Thumper and all the other bunnies in the Hunt The Bunny competition which will continue until Easter Monday.

The bunny girls, both from Huntington, are currently studying at university.

Becky Pysanczyn has an English degree and is now studying teaching at York St John College.

Gemma Mercer is studying English with Creative Writing at Huddersfield University.

She said: "My stint as a 'bunny girl' should give me plenty to creatively write about.

"We were out and about on the shopping park last weekend and had great fun entertaining the children.

"We're looking forward to the next weekend hopping around."

Steven the Mad Man of Magic was also around to point the children in the right direction, with a giant bouncy slide for those still raring to go.

Centre manager Katherine Hague said: "It went very well, the children were really attracted to the bunnies and they did a great job getting everyone involved in the competition, so we are now looking forward to another great day this Saturday when the bunnies will be back."

Updated: 11:11 Monday, April 14, 2003