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The Daily Echo is delighted to announce that we have thrown our backing behind the Zany Zebras which will be stampeding through Southampton next summer.

Following on from the huge success of the Go! Rhinos trail through the city, the Daily Echo has become the official media partner for Marwell Wildlife's latest public art extravaganza.

To celebrate, Gilbert, the very first of the life-sized sculptures that will hit city streets and parks for ten weeks in 2016, visited the paper's head office in Redbridge to meet the editor, Ian Murray.

Businesses across the region are invited to sponsor one of the sculptures, which will be decorated by local artists and positioned along the trail through the city centre.

Schools are also urged to get involved, with 33 schools and three Scout groups already signed up to its education programme which will see youngsters design and decorate their own miniature stripy sculpture.

Ian Murray said: “Meeting Gilbert in the stripy flesh, so to speak, brings home just what an exciting adventure this is for the city.

“The Daily Echo is delighted to be involved in supporting the Marwell initiative and looking forward to bringing all the news of its success.”

Daily Echo:

The Go! Rhinos trail, which was backed by the Daily Echo and saw 96 sculptures invade the city, promised to bring the wow factor to Southampton and it definitely did not disappoint.

Visitor numbers were double the amount expected by Marwell Wildlife, which launched the ten-week trail in July 2013.

There was also a boost to business, with WestQuay reporting a 25 per cent increase in sales during the first week of the trail, with footfall up week on week.

A huge amount of money was also raised through the auction of the 36 life-sized rhino sculptures, with nearly £125,000 split between Marwell's conservation project, Wessex Heartbeat's HIGH 5 appeal and the Rose Road Association.

This time a zebra was chosen because Marwell has strong links to the grevy zebra, for which it coordinates the international breeding programme for the breed in captivity. The zebra sculptures will later be auctioned off to raise money for conservation work in northern Kenya.

For more information about how to sponsor one of Marwell's Zany Zebras visit the website http://zanyzebras.org.uk/sponsors/.