A GIANT, orange mammoth has arrived at intu Merry Hill just in time for May half term.

The centre’s new mascot – standing at 2.4 metres high – will bring smiles to the faces of children and adults alike.

Marmalade the Mammoth will make his first appearance at the Brierley Hill shopping centre this Saturday (May 26) from 10am, during a special march through the centre accompanied by a band procession, surprising and delighting families as he passes.

Additional marches will take place throughout the day at 11am, 12pm, 1.30pm and 2.30pm.

The friendly mammoth will be roaming the centre during the rest of the school holidays ready to meet eager children and families for the first time.

Shoppers will be able to spot Marmalade at the lower mall near Debenhams at 10am, 11am, 12noon, 1.30pm and 2.30pm from Sunday (May 27) to Sunday, June 3.

A marmalade making factory will be launched to celebrate his arrival on Thursday, May 31, where families will get the chance to get messy and creative with Marmalade.

Children will learn how to make their own fruity preserves with the cuddly mammoth and be shown how to use it in baking delicious cookies.

The factory will be open three times a day (11am, 1pm, 3pm) until Sunday, June 3, with 24 spaces available per session. Families can book their place on the 45-minute marmalade masterclass and further details will be issued on intu Merry Hill’s social media pages.

Marmalade the Mammoth will a permanent feature of the centre, and will help launch intu’s new family club which offers parents and their children a number of fun activities to enjoy together at popular shopping destinations across the UK.

Robert Pickersgill, marketing manager at intu Merry Hill, said: “Half term is all about spending time together as a family to create fond and loving memories. Baking delicious treats is a great way to do this and even better when joined by a friend like our newest resident, Marmalade the Mammoth.

“Creating moments of happiness is at the heart of everything we do and we’ve introduced Marmalade and the new family club as another way to bring smiles to people’s faces and provide opportunities for parents to spend quality time with their children.”