THE biggest public art event ever held in Bournemouth came to a close this weekend with the Pride in Bournemouth auction at the Pavilion.

And while the lions proved a phenomenal success during the summer, so did the wrap-up night.

Organisers say £75,000 was raised for charity as bidders tried to snap up the eye-catching animals.

The event was hosted by Dorset actor Martin Clunes with help from Virginia McKenna and Chris Jarvis The highest bid was for Temba, the lion sponsored by Poole Audi and designed by Natalie Guy. The white lion, with thousands of Swarovski crystals applied to its mane, went for £7,400.

It’s Got To Be Bournemouth, which stood outside the town hall and became a focal point for people leaving flowers for Red Arrows pilot Jon Egging went for £4,000.

The gold and blue sculpture was bought by the Sovereign Centre in Boscombe.

Bournemouth Council’s retiring chief executive Pam Donnellan had provided some money from her own pocket for colleagues to bid for the lion, with the intention of donating it to the town.

In the event, she was outbid.

The money raised will be split between local charity Julia’s House and international organisation, the Born Free Foundation.

Pride in Bournemouth was launched last year and involved local businesses and organisations sponsoring large lion sculptures. Local artists were then recruited to decorate them and they were displayed all over the borough, giving residents and visitors the chance to follow a trail to view them all.

Mini-sculptures were also decorated by children in primary schools across the town.

The event was organised by Wild in Art, which has held similar events across the country, including Elephant Parade in London and Go Penguins in Liverpool.