Penguin sculptures at this summer's major art trail have been sponsored ahead of the event's debut later this month.

Set to begin on Monday, July 22, the great Waddle of Worcester art trail has been sponsored by property maintenance company Platform Property Care, a subsidiary of Platform Housing Group - one of the UK's largest social housing organisations.

The trail has been developed by St Richard's Hospice and Wild in Art, a creative production company, and the eight-week showcase will be formed of colourful sculptures of 40 large penguins and 40 chicks dotted across Worcester.

Platform Housing Group's director of operations (property), Marc Mayall, said: "We are really proud to be involved in this initiative.

"It is a great way to form lasting partnerships with other organisations within the city, and of course, to support the amazing work of St Richard’s Hospice.

"We would like to encourage as many visitors and residents as possible to take part in this fun and free family trail."

Platform Property Care has partnered with The Hopmarket Charity and insurance broker Sutcliffe & Co to sponsor their penguin sculpture, which is named Picasso and will be displayed at The Hive in the city centre.

The company's sculpture has been painted by Bromsgrove-based artist Marnia Maurri, and will be revealed when the trail opens later this month.

The great Waddle of Worcester event builds on the two art trails created by St Richard's Hospice in 2018 and 2021, which raised a total of £700,000 between them and showcased an array of giraffe and elephant sculptures across Worcester's city centre.

Artists from Worcestershire and beyond have added designs to each large penguin sculpture, whilst schools and community groups have contributed designs to the penguin chick sculptures and will be gifted them once the event has finished.

The great Waddle of Worcester trail ends on Sunday, September 15 and each large penguin sculpture will be auctioned off in October to raise further funds for St Richard's Hospice.

The auction will be held live at the DRPG building in Hartlebury on Thursday, October 24 and be streamed online.