A TOTAL of 57 arty hare sculptures have been hopping up at culture spots and shopping centres for a huge charity art trail event.

The arty pieces, which have been decorated and designed by school children and community groups, will join 30 other giant sculptures, this summer for the Hares About Town charity art trail in aid of Havens Hospices.

The Echo-backed event, in partnership with Wild in Art, will weave its way across the town from July for ten weeks.

More than 40 schools and groups have created 57 sculptures which are forming a trail ahead of the giant hares launching on the 1st July.

The small hares will be displayed at the following locations until September 12: the Priory, the Forum, Southend Central Museum and Planetarium, Southend Pier, Southchurch Hall, the Royals Shopping Centre, the Victoria Shopping Centre and he Beecroft Art Gallery.

Denise Knight, deputy headteacher at Greenways Primary School in Southchurch said the school was pleased to be involved.

She said: “Designing our hare Ziggy’s look was no hare-brained idea.

“Back in early 2020, it all started when the children submitted a number of entries into a design competition. In true Greenways spirit, a collage of all the children’s designs submitted has been included on the base of the sculpture reflecting our inclusive approach.”