WITH the stampede by a colourful herd of rhinos just days away, the finishing touches are being made to ensure every artistically-decorated hoof and horn is perfect.

And mouth and foot artist Tom Yendell has been busy making sure the life-sized sculpture he has been tasked with painting is ready for this unique event in just 11 days’ time.

Using his toes and mouth to hold his paintbrushes, Tom has painted every flower on his masterpiece three times to guarantee that his rhino, Rosie, catches the eyes of the crowds when they flock to Southampton to take part in Marwell Wildlife’s Go! Rhinos public art extravaganza.

Rosie will be one of 36 full-sized sculptures popping up in streets and parks along a trail through the city, along with 61 smaller mini rhinos decorated by Hampshire schoolchildren.

Tom, whose wife Lucy helped with the decoration, said: “We painted it with acrylic paints, which I don’t usually use, and the thickness of the paint was a real challenge for me.

“Lucy helped me to do the main acrylic painting and each flower was painted three times so that they looked really bright.”

The rhino trail will be in place for ten weeks with the hope it will bring in tourists and boost the local economy.

Kirstie Mathieson, Go! Rhinos project manager, said: “The artwork on Rosie is fantastic. She will make a beautiful addition to the trail and the work of Tom and other foot and mouth artists is truly inspiring.”