Designs for Suffolk’s biggest sculpture trail have been flooding in, the project’s leader has said.

Pigs Gone Wild will see around 40 larger-than-life-sized pig models displayed around Ipswich next summer ahead of being auctioned off in aid of St Elizabeth Hospice.

They will create an art trail in the town with each pig bearing a different design created especially for the project.

Artists have been invited to submit up to three ideas for the sculptures with an expert panel of judges set to choose those going onto the pigs.

Norman Lloyd, special projects manager at the hospice, said he was pleased with the number of entries which had been sent in.

“We’ve more than 50 submissions come in,” he said yesterday as the first pig, Tally-Ho Trotters, paid a visit to partner Suffolk County Council’s headquarters.

“What we really need to do is make sure we have at least double the amount of shortlisted designs for the pigs.”

Each of the pigs will be sponsored and Mr Lloyd said 13 of them already had a backer.

Adding he was confident the Pigs Gone Wild project would be just as good, if not better, than similar schemes in Norwich he said: “The people of Ipswich don’t have a clue what is going to hit them next year.

“People are wowed by these sculptures on street corners.”

Christopher Hudson, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for Ipswich, said he hoped the colourful sculptures would appeal to people of all ages.

“I thought it was bizare when I first saw it but the more I looked at it I thought this has got legs,” he said.

“I think young people and children will be fascinated by it. I’m very happy and proud Suffolk County Council is contributing as a partner.”

Mr Hudson also said the project would foster civic pride as well as encourage people to get active by following the trail around the town.

Call 01473 723600 or visit www.pigsgonewild.co.uk to learn more about submitting a design or sponsoring a pig.