Ipswich’s biggest-ever mass-participation art event is looking for artists to get involved in painting its pigs.

Next summer a drift of life-size pig sculptures will be invading the town as part of Pigs Gone Wild project which is raising money for St Elizabeth Hospice.

The team behind the scheme is now looking for artists to come up with creative ways to paint the models which will form an art trail around Suffolk’s county town.

The trail, in partnership with Wild in Art, is set to raise £100,000 for the hospice when the pigs are auctioned off at the end of the project.

Norman Lloyd, St Elizabeth Hospice’s special projects manager, said: “The Pigs Gone Wild trail will see 40 pigs dotted around Ipswich town centre and the Waterfront where they can be enjoyed by everyone, and we’re looking for artists to submit stunning designs for these pigs.

“There are just a few weeks left to get your designs in, so we’re urging as many people as possible – whether they are established artists or at the start of their career – to submit their concept designs as soon as possible.”

Each artist can enter up to three designs before the deadline on November 30 and a panel of art experts will shortlist the final designs.

These will then be displayed at a sponsors exhibition where local businesses will have the chance to choose which design they want to sponsor.

If an artist’s design is chosen by a sponsor to appear on the trail, the artist will be paid a fee of £800 to paint their pig sculpture.

Anthony Coe, of the John Russell Gallery, Ipswich, will sit on the panel of expert judges. He said: “It’s a great opportunity for artists to showcase their art and get their name known. Not only will it be an interesting challenge for artists to work on a 3D pig sculpture as their canvas, but this type of high profile public art trail can really boost an artist’s career.”

To request a Pigs Gone Wild artists pack email info@pigsgonewild.co.uk or call 01473 723600.