THEY’VE been brightening up Bournemouth all summer and it will soon be time for them to go.

But before they disappear from the streets, the Pride in Bournemouth lions will be raising some more money for charity.

Fifty lions appeared in the town earlier this year, ready to be decorated as part of a public art event to raise money for good causes.

The life-sized sculptures will be auctioned on September 18 to raise money for the Born Free Foundation and Julia’s House.

Each lion has been sponsored by a local business, including Westover Land Rover in Chirstchurch, whose specially designed lion is named Born to Be Free.

Born to be Free was designed by local artist Hazel Evans of Poole’s Lighthouse. She chose its design and colours to represent the natural freedom of the lion.

Over the last two decades, Africa has lost 30 per cent of its lions and today fewer than 40,000 remain. Since 2002, Born Free has been working in partnership with Land Rover to conserve wild animals and their habitats. The money raised at September’s auction will help provide vital funds.

One of the main dangers to lions in Kenya is persecution by humans, who spear or poison them after the lions attack and kill livestock.

Born Free will help build lion-proof Bomas – traditional community settlements for people of the Maasai tribe, which enclose livestock and often protect villagers’ houses.

TV star Martin Clunes, a patron of the Born Free Foundation as well as a supporter of Julia’s House, said: “This is a win/win situation. Minimising harm to livestock means local communities are more secure and lions are protected from persecution.

“The Born Free team is doing amazing work with Kenya Wildlife Service, Living With Lions, the Kenya Wildlife Trust, local communities and other stakeholders to improve the lives of people and, at the same time, save the lives of wild lions.”

Land Rover has provided Born Free in Kenya with two Defender 130 double-cab Land Rovers on loan and five bought from Land Rover at a special rate.

The Born to be Free lion and the 49 other sculptures will go under the hammer at Bournemouth’s Pavilion on September 18, from 7pm. Tickets are available from the Pavilion or from the BIC ticket office on 0844 576 3000.

• Get yourself a Pride in Bournemouth Lions brochure available from Daily Echo offices for £3.50.