Local expresses surprise on the trail of Hansel and Gretel (6)
I believe the answer is:
crumbs
'local expresses' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with contact as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I don't see?
I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for crumbs that I've seen before include "Blimey!" , "By heck! -all that's left of the cake?" , "Gosh!" , "Crikey, cripes" , "Tiny pieces of bread or cake" .)