GIRAFFE calves decorated by school students will greet shoppers visiting a Worcester shopping centre next summer.

Crowngate Shopping Centre is a leading partner in the Worcester Stands Tall art trail – a project set to bring giraffes large and small to the city for 10 weeks in summer 2018.

Artists are already submitting designs for the adult giraffe sculptures, while school students from across Worcestershire can clothe the calves in art work.

For the past three years, Crowngate has run a similar creative campaign with schools from around the county – the BookBench project.

Erica Burlace, centre manager at Crowngate, said: “Having seen the success of our own BookBench project, as well as The Big Hoot in Birmingham and the GoGoGorillas in Norwich, we are excited to see just how far people will travel to visit Worcester’s tower of giraffes over the summer.

“Worcester is such a beautiful and unique city, it will be a great opportunity for us to showcase our city in all its glory, while supporting St Richard’s and ultimately the Worcestershire community.”

During the art trail, which will run from July, 9 to September, 15 2018, the calves will stand in Crowngate for shoppers to enjoy – while all the artwork from schools will be displayed in a gallery.

At the end of the trail, each calf will be returned to the school which decorated it as a lasting memento of its involvement with the project.

Alongside the calves, there will be at least 25, 2.5-metre tall giraffe sculptures standing proud through the streets of Worcester.

Businesses from across the county are sponsoring the sculptures, with many organisations already involved.

Each large sculpture will be auctioned to raise funds for the free on-going care and support offered by St Richard’s Hospice for people affected by life-limiting illnesses.

Tricia Cavell, fundraising director at St Richard’s Hospice, said: “We are thrilled to be joining forces with Crowngate for Worcester Stands Tall.

She said: “With its wealth of experience delivering the fantastically successful BookBench competition and exhibition, we are sure the Crowngate team will play a major role in helping us stand tall with communities and school pupils in Worcester.”

Worcester Stands Tall is a Wild in Art event brought to the city by St Richard’s Hospice.

To get involved call St Richard’s on 01905 763963, email worcesterstandstall@strichards.org.uk or go on worcesterstandstall.co.uk.