CRAGEN is Small World Theatre’s new mythological puppet monster which is set to appear along Wales’ epic coastline during the Year of the Sea.

Cragen is said to dwell off the coast of Wales and experts are predicting that she will appear along the coastline at 10 locations during the summer with an important clean seas message.

The first appearance will be at Aberporth on July 20, when Cragen will come in from the sea for the first time at around 2pm, having made its way in from Tresaith.

Visitors and communities will gasp at her ingenuity and be amazed by her size, as she returns unwanted plastic waste from the sea to the land.

It is also fitting that Aberporth will be the first port of call following the village’s lead in the plastic-free campaign.

The makers and creators of the giant sea-faring puppet Small World Theatre have made them before but this is its most ambitious project to date.

The theatre company, established in 1996, is excited about touring its latest giant (approximately 20-metres long) in Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, Isle of Anglesey and Conwy, encouraging people to explore Visit Wales' newly-launched 'The Wales Way'.

The project has received funding via the Tourism Product Innovation Fund (TPIF) and supported through the Welsh Government Rural Communities-Rural Development Programme.

Cragen is set to attract the support of local businesses and plastic free community groups and Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, Lord-Elis Thomas said: “The Year of the Sea gives us an excellent opportunity to show our fantastic coastline to the world.

“From our 50 islands, our 230 beaches with more Blue Flags per mile than anywhere else in Britain - to our world-first 870mile long Wales Coast Path. However, it also gives us a platform to raise awareness of the need to care for our environment - and the impact our activities can have on our seas and coastline.

“The Welsh Government is committed to reducing the use of single use plastics, and I’m delighted that we’ve been able to support this innovative project by the Small World Theatre.

“Cragen will help raise awareness of the impact of single use plastics and the backdrop of our amazing coastline will be a reminder of the beauty that needs to be kept for future generations.”

Members of the public are invited to visit Cragen performances between July-December and participate in exciting activities and events alongside the Wales-wide tour, including The Wildlife Trusts ‘Sea Wales 7D’ Augmented Reality Roadshow; beach cleans organised by Keep Wales Tidy and National Trust Wales and family activities galore organised by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority and others.

Follow Cragen’s travels online cleanseascragen.wales and share your ‘sighting’ on social media using the hashtags #cleanseascragen #findyourepic #cleanseas.