COLCHESTER Zoo has announced plans to celebrate its 50th anniversary – by encouraging visitors to look up.

For ten weeks next summer, Colchester’s streets, parks and open spaces will be dominated by 8ft-tall giraffe sculptures, as artists celebrate the zoo’s anniversary and the town’s wealth of creative talent.

The Stand Tall for Giraffes celebration will culminate in an auction of sculptures to raise money for Action For The Wild, a charity the zoo supports.

Zoo director Anthony Tropeano said: “Stand Tall will be a fantastic spectacle for the people of Colchester. It’s an excellent way to raise vital funds for the conservation work – and what better way to celebrate our 50th birthday?

“This is our gift to the people of Colchester and the surrounding area for their support over the years.”

Mr Tropeano is dedicating the zoo’s 50th anniversary celebrations to the memory of his mother, Angela, who was its director from 1983 until 2011.

The zoo boss said Stand Tall would also boost the town’s economy, by attracting more visitors.

He added: “We are extremely grateful for the sponsorship and support we have received so far, and would welcome more.

“Keep your eyes peeled for the outstanding art which will be appearing around town in the near future – and get ready for the magnificent sight of all these giraffes in the summer of 2013.”

The project is being developed in partnership with Wild in Art, an arts, events and education charity which has promoted similar events in the UK, Europe and Africa.

The giraffe art will be seen right across the Colchester borough from June 2, 2013, and will be brought together back at the the zoo on August 26.

Stand Tall was launched at the zoo yesterday by Nicola Wood, world sand sculpting champion and presenter of CBBC’s Deadly Art Show on TV.

She will be working to create a sand sculpture of a giraffe from 15 tonnes of sand to form the centrepiece of a celebratory garden.

Other celebrities are lending their support to Stand Tall, including British naturalist, writer and television presenter, Steve Backshall and wildlife presenter Michaela Strachan.

Ms Strachan said: “I’m sure the giraffes will look fabulous in Colchester.

“Wildlife and works of art are always a great combination.”

l For details on how to get involved, e-mail standtall@katcreativ.co.uk Stand Tall is sponsored by companies including Martin & Co, Systematic Logistics, Firstsite , Essex University , Heart FM, the Gazette, Colchester and Essex county councils, the SVC Group, Clarke Infinity, Sainsbury’s, Cofunds and Kent Blaxill, who will attend a sponsors’ reception at Firstsite on September 27.

It is still looking for further sponsors. For details, go to www.colchester-zoo .com/standtall