THANKS to a Bordon company, Marwell is to become the first UK zoo to host some particularly rare species - beasts made from Lego.

From August 1 to October 1, more than 80 sculptures, representing 25 species, will be installed at the zoo, near Winchester, offering a Great Brick Safari trail to connect children with nature.

More than two million bricks will be used to make the sculptures, created by Lego-building-company Bright Bricks, located at the Woolmer Trading Estate.

Among the sculptures will be a 1.5-tonne elephant and a life-size Bengal tiger. Other sculptures will be inspired by Marwell’s collection of animals, with a red-ruffed lemur, a warthog and a mob of meerkats all featuring on the trail. 

James Cretney, Marwell’s chief executive, said: “Families love being around nature at Marwell and the Lego-brick trail will be a fun and engaging way of highlighting some of our important species, as well as welcoming some exciting new animals to the zoo. We are delighted to be the first zoo in the UK to host an interactive Lego-brick experience.”

Children can also make their own Lego sculptures.