Ledbury residents are being encouraged to take up a series of creative challenges in honour of one of the town’s most famous sons.

The town council is setting simple tasks people can do at home as part of its John Masefield Creative Challenge.

The challenges are intended to “boost your mood, banish the winter blues” and help you “have some fun”, the council says.

The first challenge, issued on Monday, January 23, is inspired by Box of Delights, a fantasy novel for children written by John Masefield, a poet who was born in Ledbury in 1878.

It tells the story of the battle for possession of a magical box that allows you to fly, time travel and experience other magical wonders.

People are challenged to find a cardboard box and fill it with 12 items that bring them delight, decorate the box and put it somewhere safe so it can be opened whenever you need a boost.

More challenges will be issued on the council’s website and social media pages over the next two weeks.

John Masefield is known for poems including The Everlasting Mercy and Sea-Fever, and served as Poet Laureate from 1930 until his death in 1967.