Model lions meet the mane attraction
The meeting came at Longleat safari park, which will be sponsoring the Lions of Bath public art event.
The initiative which starts in May will see 100 individually decorated, 6ft lion sculptures installed in locations all over the city until September.
Project spokeswoman Megan Witty said: "We are thrilled to welcome Longleat as an event sponsor."
The sculptor who has made the lions, Alan Dun, spent some time at Longleat last summer parked in the middle of the lion enclosure sketching and observing the animals there as part of his initial research.
Longleat opened the first drive-through safari park outside Africa in 1966, and is seen as one of the UK's top visitor attractions.
A spokesman for Longleat said: "We loved the idea of a contemporary art event celebrating such a magnificent animal as the lion and hope that it will stimulate even more interest in the real thing, particularly amongst families and children."
The lions will be The drive through Longleat Safari Park offers a wonderful opportunity to get up close and personal with our pride of lions as well as our giraffes, tigers, wolves, rhinos and camels and all the other attractions that Longleat has to offer."
The sculptures, sponsored by businesses, local communities and individuals, will be decorated by artists and craftspeople to produce eye-catching artworks. At the end of the summer all the models will be auctioned for charity and could end up in offices, homes and gardens.
Money raised will be donated to local charities Off the Record, Quartet Community Foundation, and the Mayor's Relief Fund, as well as providing a legacy fund for future public art projects in Bath.
For more information on the project visit www.lionsofbath.com.
