ELEPHANTS will be on parade at a Southend toy store to raise money for charity.

The Teddy Station, in the Victoria Shopping Centre, has taken possession of two elephant statues The Elephant Parade charity brings artists, celebrities and businesses together to create vibrant public art on life-size baby elephant statues to raise awareness of, and funds for, the Asian Elephant Foundation, which supports elephant conservation projects.

The store has Zooey Elephant, by artist Emma Kemp, and Baku, by artist Pelle Moeller Schiodt, with Ice Creamy, by artist Katrina, on his way.

Owner Steve Kohler said: “The elephants are painted by celebrities and then go on tour around the country.

Not many shops have the room to do this, but we asked the Victoria managers if we could have them outside our shop and they agreed.

“The charity was set up six years ago to help an elephant which had lost its leg because of a landmine.

“We are selling items for the charity, ranging from £6 key rings, up to £200 items and 20 per cent of the profits go to the charity.

There will be an Elephants on Parade colouring competition outside the shop on November 22.

The competition will have a first prize of an elephant worth £55 from the Homearoma collection. All entrants will also be entered in a free draw for a trip to Thailand, including a trip to the elephant rescue centre.

For more information about the competition, visit www.elephantparade.com