IT may be nine months before Pride in Bournemouth hits the streets but already lions are creeping into the town.

Anyone passing the Royal Bath Hotel on Tuesday night (September 28)will have seen several of the sculptures standing proudly outside as part of the event’s official launch.

And 25 more turned up at Bournemouth Airport the following day, one of which later moved into the Daily Echo offices.

Mini lions have made their way into two local primary schools and the concept is certainly creeping into the consciousness of Bournemouth residents.

Pride in Bournemouth is an Echo-backed public art event to be staged across the town next summer.

Organisers are hoping to encourage local businesses to sponsor a lion, which will then be decorated by a local artist and become part of a display next year. Primary schools will also take part with mini lions.

Similar events in other parts of the country have attracted tens of thousands of visitors and raised huge sums for local, national and international charities.

Visitors will be encouraged to follow trail maps to view the elaborately-decorated sculptures, which will be auctioned off at the end of the event.

In Bournemouth, money will be raised for the Born Free Foundation and for Julia’s House, represented at the launch party by actress, author and conservationist Virginia McKenna and actor Martin Clunes Speaking at the launch, Daily Echo and Advertiser editor Neal Butterworth told guests: “I think this will change a lot of people’s perceptions about this town – it is going to be an incredible tourist attraction and it is a privilege to be involved.”

And Martin Clunes, a patron of both charities to benefit from the event, said: “Children are born with a sense of the plight of wildlife and harnessing that, to let them know how important it is, is really the only future.”

He added: “It’s about time somebody sexed up Bournemouth. I think more towns should have predators.”

Anyone interested in getting involved should contact Charlie Langhorne at Wild in Art on 01273 833146 or 07970 974511, email charlie@wildinart.co.uk