THIS brightly coloured creature is set to arrive in Sussex for a fundraising trail before going under the hammer following a celebrity makeover.

Comedian Vic Reeves, his model wife Nancy Sorrell and daughters Nell and Beth have given Lady Lollipop a makeover in preparation for Horsham’s fundraising safari trail this summer.

The cute and colourful elephant sculpture, pictured, will be put on display in the town as part of the trail in aid of Horsham-based wildlife charity the Born Free Foundation and other local charities.

The family are long-time supporters of the wildlife charity and saw elephants in the wild last year while visiting Born Free’s wildlife rescued big cats at the Shwamwari Game Reserve in South Africa.

The elephant will be sold along with the rest of the herd at an auction in the autumn after a stint with a Horsham-based business over the summer.

Mrs Sorrell said: “Lady Lollipop has loved spending time in our garden – we’re really going to miss her.”

The Elephantastic trail has been organised by Horsham Rotary Club and in partnership with Horsham District Council, local traders’ organisation Horsham Unlimited and Billingshurst-based marketing agency, PMW Communications.

As well as supporting a variety of individual local charities, proceeds will also go towards Born Free’s appeal to build Europe’s first elephant sanctuary in Tuscany.

More than 70 local businesses are already on-board, and have taken delivery of their elephant having paid between £75 and £200 for their pottery pachyderm, which they will now decorate.

Recent adopters have included Strada in East Street, Wabi and Capitol Theatre.

Meanwhile, West Sussex Mediation Service is appealing for help from the public to raise enough money over the next three weeks so they can take part in the trail.

The charity, which offers a free community mediation service, has been unable to attract a sponsor to take part in the event but hope to crowdfund enough money to buy the elephant and help to raise further vital funds to help sustain their community work.

To support West Sussex Mediation Service before June 11 visit crowdfunder.co.uk/help-buy-an-elephant. Horsham-based businesses still have time to sign up for this year’s trail by contacting horshamrotary@btconnect.com.