A HARE sculpture sponsored by groups in Ashton Keynes was unveiled by James Gray MP over the weekend.

The hare will be part of the Cotswold Hare Trail and will be in the village until September 10. 

It will then be auctioned in October to raise money for local charities.

The hare, mainly dark blue in colour, was designed by local artist Kathryn Gray and people in the community helped decorate the hare by sticking tiles on during open decorating sessions in December and January.

Kathryn Gray, local artist, explained her creation: "We based the patterns based on patterns and images found in Holy Cross Church in the village and reflects the local wildlife with bees and grass.

"There are stars and lots of flower patterns, lots of different interesting shapes.

"I wanted to make the most of those, I wanted to use lots of bright colours, knowing in sunlight it would look bright and shiny. 

"Also looking at the shape of the hare, you have to have some movement in the design to cover the sculpture.

"It's been a fantastic community project that everybody has been enthusiastic about and there's a lot of interest in it.

"There has been a lot of work to get it finished, but I think it has been well worth it."

The hare has been sponsored by The White Hart Inn, the village hall, the village shop, Ashton Keynes C of E Primary School, Andy Rumming's Beef, The Hills Group and the Holy Cross Church.