A menagerie of wild animals in all colours of the rainbow are making their way to mid Suffolk next week.

From Monday next week, Eye will be full to bursting with chimpanzees, leopards, hippopotami and meercats, as the annual art trail returns to the town.

Safari is the latest theme for the event which is now in its sixth year.

The vibrant art trail is curated by the Blossom Charity, which supports local people in achieving their life goals.

This year, for the first time ever, the trail will also be coming to the nearby village of Harleston, with two trails running simultaneously for people in our county and those nearer the Norfolk border to enjoy.

A very tall and vibrantly coloured effort, ready for the art trail next week.A very tall and vibrantly coloured effort, ready for the art trail next week. (Image: Charlotte Bond) Sadie Lofthouse from the Blossom Charity. Sadie Lofthouse from the Blossom Charity. (Image: Charlotte Bond) Clare Jackson from the Blossom Charity. Clare Jackson from the Blossom Charity. (Image: Charlotte Bond) Sharon Teague is one of the artists to have brough the sculptures to life with a unique design. Sharon Teague is one of the artists to have brought the sculptures to life with a unique design. (Image: Charlotte Bond) A chimp off the old block.A chimp off the old block. (Image: Charlotte Bond) This sculpture is ready for sunshine next week, primed for selfies. This sculpture is ready for sunshine next week, primed for selfies. (Image: Charlotte Bond) A witchy leopard prepares for the art trail.A witchy leopard prepares for the art trail. (Image: Charlotte Bond)

As always, the sculptures are sponsored by local businesses and designed by local artists. Particularly vibrant efforts include a technicolour giraffe and an owl dressed to the nines in Ipswich Town regalia.

The sculptures will be auctioned off in September – but this year, with a twist.

Clare Jackson from the Blossom Charity explained that one of the eagle owls will this year be given away as a raffle prize, so that everyone can be in with a chance of taking a sculpture home.

“It’s a really nice, free day out for families, so they can come out and have fun looking around the town,” she said.

The trail will begin in Eye on Monday, and in Harleston on Tuesday.

The sculptures are ready and raring to go.The sculptures are ready and raring to go. (Image: Charlotte Bond) The art trails will include sculptures of all shapes and sizes.The art trails will include sculptures of all shapes and sizes. (Image: Charlotte Bond) A tiny owl with beautifully painted rainbow wings.A tiny owl with beautifully painted rainbow wings. (Image: Charlotte Bond) A hippo subs shoulders with an eagle, with all the sculptures coming together before being spread out all over Eye and Harleston next week.A hippo rubs shoulders with an eagle, with all the sculptures coming together before being spread out all over Eye and Harleston next week. (Image: Charlotte Bond)