AN ART historian is desperately appealing for someone to come to the rescue of a lion and a unicorn that have been found in a ropey condition in Cirencester.

Lucy Abel Smith feared that the 11-ft high rope statue of the national symbols, which was created for the Queen’s coronation celebrations in Cirencester, had been lost without a trace.

But after following the thread to a unit on the Bathurst Estate, the Standard has found the lion and unicorn alive – but not very well.

The rope sculpture, which features the two animals and a giant crown, was designed by local artist Oliver Hill to be the centrepiece of Cirencester’s Market Place for the 1953 celebrations.

Now Lucy, who hosts the biennial Fresh Air Show in Quenington, is appealing for someone to restore the statue to its former glory in time for the diamond jubilee celebrations in Cirencester next year.

It is unclear just how much the work would cost but Lucy says the value of the lion and unicorn sculpture is priceless.

"It must be one of the few things except for people’s bunting that are left over from the coronation," she said. "It’s more than Cirencester – it’s a piece of national importance."

In 1997 Lucy organised for the unravelling structure to have a bit of a makeover for a Fresh Air Show that year but says she does not have the energy to complete the restoration.

The Bathurst Estate is also keen for someone to volunteer and take the large structure off its hands after more than a decade of it fraying away slowly on a unit floor.

Deputy agent of the Bathurst Estate Tristan Chippendale said the rope pieces, commissioned by Cirencester Town Council, would have to be moved from storage soon to make way for other items. "We do hope that it can be put to use for the forthcoming anniversary celebrations," he said.

Anyone willing to take on the restoration work should contact Lucy Abel Smith at the Quenington Sculpture Trust on 01285 750358.