POOLE Lighthouse’s artist in residence, Hazel Evans, is putting the finishing touches to three model lions, which will form part of the Pride in Bournemouth art festival at the end of this month.

“Hazel’s lion designs have been commissioned by various local businesses,” says Paul Tucker of Poole Lighthouse. “They have all been highly impressed with her designs and inspirations behind them.”

The first lion, sponsored by Leatherbarrows, is called Britania and Hazel has used the theme of travel as the main inspiration for the decoration – with a Union Jack on the mane flowing down the body and blending into flags of other countries.

Gem Deco is the second lion Hazel is working on and it is an exuberantly stylish Art Deco inspired lion commissioned by Bournemouth’s Cumberland Hotel, which is well known for its Art Deco decoration.

Hazel is also painting Land Rover’s lion, which is dubbed Freedom Flighter and is inviting people to come and watch her work on it in the Lighthouse foyer.

The Daily Echo’s very own colourful lion is currently being decorated on the first floor of the Dalkeith Arcade in Bournemouth’s Old Christchurch Road.

Meanwhile some of the festival’s other arty lions have already been completed.

These include Poole Audi’s diamond encrusted head lion and the Metropolis Art Gallery’s airbrushed big cat, which was painted by urban artist Adam Klodzinski.

“As soon as we learnt what the project was about, we signed up,” said gallery co-owner Vicki Angus.

“Adam has captured the majesty of these beasts beautifully.”

Last week St Michael’s Primary School completed their sea themed lion, which was donated to them by Coles Miller Solicitors.

“The children thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and are now eagerly waiting to see Lionel and the other lions in the town,” says Sally Flannigan, a teacher at the school.