SOUTHEND’S Herd in the City art trail has been hailed as a mammoth success as the elephants stomp out of the city after raising more than £100,000.

The trail saw Southend, Leigh, and Shoebury filled with 118 elephant sculptures - painted in bright and colourful deigns by artists - in a bid to raise vital cash for Havens Hospices.

The sculptures have now been removed after the event officially concluded last week. 

So far, the trail - backed by the Echo - has raised more than £100,00, but that is set to increase when the sculptures are auctioned later this month.

Vanessa Harvey, project manager of Herd in the City, said: “We are thrilled to see how loved the elephants were and the countless smiles the art trail gave the city.

“The care we provide at Havens Hospices is provided completely free of charge and is only made possible thanks to donations and fundraising initiatives such as Herd in the City.

“So, we would like to say a big thank you to everyone who took part in the trail - because of you, we can be here for the families who need us at one of the toughest times of their lives.”

Thousands of trail-goers from across the UK admired the works of art to raise money to help provide specialist care and support for people of all ages living with incurable conditions and their families.

It saw 12,000 maps distributed and nearly 6,000 people downloading the app. 310,231 sculptures were also collected and more than 30,000 miles stomped across the streets and seafront.

The sculptures will have some TLC before they join together to say goodbye at the “Farewell Weekend” on September 23 and 24 at Saxon Hall, before being auctioned off and finding their forever homes.

The auction will see elephants from the trail under the hammer, with art and elephant enthusiasts alike bidding to be the proud owner of one of the elephant sculptures.

There is still time to purchase tickets for the “Farewell Weekend” and you are also able to register your interest in attending the auction online at www.herdinthe.city