IT was the monumental summer when thousands of animallovers took to the streets of Southampton in pursuit of a crash of rhinos.

Today the much-loved beasts are being rounded up after an unforgettable ten weeks entertaining the masses and transforming the city into a colourful nature trail.

The 96 Go! Rhinos sculptures have been a groundbreaking success since the trail went live on July 13, taking thousands of children and adults on a magical journey through the city’s streets, parks and landmarks.

Businesses, schools and charities were among those helping artists creat their own life-sized and miniature sculptures for the Marwell Wildlife public art exhibition promoting the zoo’s conservation work to protect the endangered animal.

A total of 36 life-sized rhinos were displayed in the city centre and at other key locations, including the Holiday Inn Winchester and The Ageas Bowl.

Favourites included Flossy, positioned in Commercial Road, dressed as a dental hygienist and Reginald, outside the SeaCity Museum, who was painted with a sleek Spitfire plane design in memory of the iconic aeroplane’s creator Reginald Mitchell.

Meanwhile Stylo Rhino took pride of place at Southampton Airport, sporting a nose ring and red Mohawk, but was soon moved to the Go!Rhinos headquarters in the Marlands after calls from the public to give him a more central location.

Unfortunately due to repeated vandalism, two had to be permanently removed from the trail, while Seymour, who was attacked on several occasions, was moved to the safety of headquarters.

All the rhinos are due to be auctioned off next month and the money raised will be split between Marwell’s conservation work, the Rose Road Association and Wessex Heartbeat’s HIGH 5 Appeal.

The Daily Echo is also running its Go! Rhinos photo competition looking for the most imaginative way to have your picture taken with one of the rhinos.

The winning photo will win a Junior Experience worth £150, which gives one lucky youngster the opportunity to be a zookeeper for the day.