Rat sculpture trail to honour Mick Ronson confirmed

Project co-director Rick Welton said the sculptures would be auctioned to raise money for research into cancer, heart disease and dementia

The themes for a trail of giant rat sculptures that will be appear across Hull and East Yorkshire have been confirmed.

Some of the 6ft (1.8m) "Mischief of Rats" statues will honour Spiders From Mars guitarist Mick Ronson, ahead of the 80th anniversary of his birth in 1946.

The Hull musician joined British rock band The Rats in 1966 and went on to become David Bowie's lead guitarist. He died of cancer in 1993, aged 46.

Other sculptures along the trail will reflect the themes of health and medical science, literature, TV and cinema.

Ronson performing with David Bowie's backing band Spiders from Mars in October 1973

The trail, which is expected to include up to 50 sculptures, is due to be installed in April 2025 and then open to the public from May for three months.

Referring to previously successful sculpture trails in the city, Hull Council's leader Mike Ross said: "Hull has already seen how popular the puffins, moths and toads [trails] proved for the city, and I expect a Mischief of Rats to attract visitors from far and wide."

The project's organisers said they were looking for businesses to sponsor the sculptures and artists will be invited to submit designs for each sculpture later this year.

Council funding of £9,000 will be used to commission two of the sculptures and an auction once the trail has ended will raise funds for The Daisy Appeal, a charity which helps people living with cancer, heart disease and dementia.