BOURNEMOUTH residents are being urged to help create a work of art at the town’s main library.

Artist Natalie Guy will be decorating a lion sculpture throughout January for this summer’s Pride in Bournemouth event.

And she hopes members of the public will pop in to help her with the orange, red and yellow mosaic pattern.

Pride in Bournemouth is a major art event which will see hundreds of sculptures placed around the town for public viewing between June and September.

Local businesses are being urged to sponsor a large lion with primary schools encouraged to decorate a mini one. Local artists are being commissioned to decorate each one.

Members of the public will be able to follow a trail to view them all and they will eventually be auctioned off to raise money for the Born Free Foundation and Julia’s House.

Natalie Guy is decorating a lion based on the African sun setting over the Baobab tree, where lions like to seek shade.

The lion has been sponsored by solicitors Coles Miller whose marketing manager Peter Kearns said: “We are delighted to support this very exciting project that will create tremendous interest in Bournemouth and will provide valuable funds for two very deserving charities.”

Anyone interested in taking part in the event is urged to visit the website prideinbournemouth.com