As part of the 50th anniversary celebration of Longleat’s safari park, a new lion sculpture in front of Longleat House has been unveiled.

The lion sculpture, which is eight metres long and four metres tall, weighing almost three tonnes, was created by sculptor Bruce Little in the Western Cape of South Africa and is his biggest sculpture to date.

Once the piece was complete, it was crated and lifted by crane into an open top container which was then transferred onto a container ship which set sail for the UK on February 23.

Ceawlin Thynn, chairman of Longleat Enterprises Limited, said: “When we first considered the concept we could not have envisaged such a fantastic sculpture, that is so in keeping with Longleat’s heritage.

“While this piece was made specifically to mark the 50th anniversary of the Safari Park, it is our intention to commission another bronze lion sculpture which will also become a permanent resident on the estate, alongside the real lions of Longleat.”

Opening 50 years ago, the Safari Park was the first park of its kind outside Africa and attracts millions of visitors every year.

Mr Little said: "I am absolutely thrilled with the outcome, it is an honour and a privilege to have been awarded this opportunity to do a lion sculpture of this scale, with Longleat as its home.

“I cannot have hoped for a more appropriate setting and am sincerely grateful to all those who have made this possible.

“It is my hope this sculpture will be a beacon of hope for the conservation of not only lions but all creatures great and small and their habitats.

“This bronze sculpture will be on this earth for thousands of years let us all help ensure that lions will too will exist as long."