IT was an eye-catching way to put next summer’s Zany Zebra’s trail well and truly on the map.

Measuring 28.5 metres in length and 33 metres high, a portrait of the animal at the centre of the trail was created on a grand scale.

It was made up of the 100 Grevy zebra sculptures that will help form the eagerly anticipated event around Southampton.

The giant zebra wasset up in the grounds of Marwell Zoo which is once again staging a wildlife-based trail around business and and shops in the city.

The sculptures are destined for schools and youth groups who have signed up to Marwell’s Zany Zebras education programme.

Youngsters will soon be decorating these white zebra sculptures with their best ‘zany’ designs ready for the event next year.

With help from HMS Collingwood, Marwell Staff used the 100 sculptures to create the white zebra stripes and some colourful stripes were also added.

The Marwell’s Zany Zebras team have been overwhelmed by the response to the education programme with 100 schools and community groups jumping at the chance to get involved with the South’s MANE event for 2016.

Each will receive an Education toolkit designed to develop learning, and an Outreach visit from the Marwell’s Zany Zebras Education Ranger.

The zebra sculptures will complement the trail of large sculptures that will be displayed in Southampton city centre next summer.

Businesses can sponsor these large sculptures and so far 29 organisations in the south have joined the stampede.

In addition to the trail in Southampton, the designs of the large sculptures will be replicated onto miniatures which will be hidden within Marwell Zoo itself.

The Marwell team hope to replicate the hugely successful Go! Rhinos of 2013,which was enjoyed by over 250,000 visitors and residents.

Kirstie Mathieson, Marwell’s Zany Zebras project manager said: “Our Marwell’s Zany Zebras project is a unique way to learn about Grevy’s zebras - it’s creative, interactive and fun.

"Once the trail goes live, hundreds of thousands of people will be able to enjoy the work that pupils have produced. We can’t wait to see what designs the schools and youth groups involved come up with.

“From solicitors to shopping centres, sporting venues to theatres we have businesses and organisations of all shapes and sizes joining Marwell’s Zany Zebras.

"We have 29 sponsors on board so far and we are expecting many more. The more sponsors there are the more sculptures there will be and the greater the trail and the bigger the spectacle.

"If your company’s not involved already I urge you to join the stampede, it’s going to be wild!”