Work on Bury St Edmunds’ latest tourism initiative is well under way, with 26 handcrafted wolves nearing completion.

The organisers of the Bury Wolf Trail, due to start this summer, are looking for sponsors for each of the wolves and say the next stage of the project will involve confirming the locations across the town centre.

The sculptures are being created by 18 local artists and will celebrate the town’s association with the legend of Saint Edmund.

Each of the wolves, 20 of which will be life-size or bigger, will be made from different materials including topiary, willow, metal, fabric and recycled materials.

The initiative has been made possible thanks to funding from the Business Improvement District (BID) organisation OurBuryStEdmunds, working with several other partners who make up the Town Team group.

Chief executive of Ourburystedmunds Mark Cordell said: “I am absolutely delighted that the Wolf Trail is progressing so well.

“I have met with the 18 artists and they are all thrilled to be part of this exciting initiative, which will make their work so accessible to so many people during the four months of the trail. Without giving away any secrets the wolves are all extremely different and subject to interpretation of the individual artist which is exactly what I was hoping for.”

The trail has been inspired by similar art trails across the country, with visitors able to explore the town’s history while viewing each of the artworks.

A wolf sculpture is already the focal point of the roundabout at Southgate, which is passed by thousands of people a day as they drive into Bury.

The man behind the roundabout wolf, artist Ben Loughrill, is already working on another for the trail.

Melanie Lesser, who is part of the Town Team co-ordinating the initiative, said: “The range of materials that the artists are using is fantastic and a number of them will be working with others, including local schoolchildren, on the different artworks so when the trail is put together there will be a real sense of community involvement. I’m sure it will attract lots of visitors into the town and be a real talking point.”

The wolves will be displayed in public spaces and buildings across the town, with the potential for some to be sited within local businesses. The trail will open on July 20 and run until St Edmund’s Day – November 20.