A GLITZY launch event supported by celebrities and VIPs was held to kickstart a colourful art trail in Southend.

The Royal Hotel, High Street, Southend, hosted the event to launch the creative new scheme which will see 30 hares pop up across the town.

The 1.6m figures will be decorated by amateur artists, as part of a project in conjunction with the Echo and events firm Wild in Art.

They will later be auctioned off at the Cliffs Pavilion on September 23 next year in aid of Havens Hospices.

The launch event welcomed special celebrity guest Jo Wood, former wife of the Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood.

Louise Gloyne, from Havens Hospices, welcomed everyone to the launch and gave a speech about progress on the new adult hospice opposite Priory Park, Southend.

She said: “We want to encourage residents to be tourists in their own town and visitors to the town to appreciate the exquisite works of art and simply get out in the fresh air and enjoy the trail.”

Southend’s mayor John Lamb celebrated with noted artist Paul Karslake and unveiled the launch hare, named Leporum Fisher.

Leporum is Latin for hare and fisher because of the sunset fishing scene painted on him.

Paul, 60, from Leigh, painted the first of the quirky sculptures and chose the design.