People from across Surrey and South London have been painting rocks as part of a community treasure hunt to spread joy and lift up spirits.

Children in Berrylands and Tolworth have been painting the stones in bright colours and hiding them in the local area for others to find and hide.

The local community has also been building a “bug trail” of painted pebbles on Stirling Walk, which at least 450 stones painted as bugs on the trail.

Families are hoping the trail will go from one end of Sterling walk to the other by Sunday, September 9.

A member of Alexandra VK Police discovered the bug trail and tweeted: “All quiet on the Berrylands/Tolworth area. Nothing but the blue sky and these lovely painted stones to occupy me.”

A local mum set up a Facebook site called Berrylands Rocks, which has 452 members, to share photos of painted pebbles when they are found before they are re-hidden.

Similar treasure hunts and Facebook groups have been set up across the country and neighbouring areas such as Walton on the Hill and Tadworth.