Derby's Zanzibar bust sold for charity

The statue stands high above London Road in Derby

A two-metre (6.5 ft) tall, bronze-effect statue, which sat above a Derby nightclub for more than 15 years, has been auctioned off for charity.

The fibreglass bust which graced the roof of the Zanzibar nightclub is believed to represent a former Sultan of Zanzibar.

The nightclub closed in January 2012 and is due to be redeveloped by restaurant chain Cosmo.

After the first buyer pulled out, the statue eventually sold for £420.

'We've got a van'

Callum Gurney and David York, who are part of a group of 11 friends who bought the statue, said their "dream" was to place it above their local pub in Allestree.

The friends, who bought the statue on eBay, said: "It is such an iconic figure in the city, so we have done everyone proud by keeping it here."

They added: "We've got a van hopefully big enough to fit it in - but if we can't get him in we'll walk him back."

The bust, which weighs between 30 and 50kg, was auctioned off after the new owners of the building decided not to keep it.

Cosmo, an Asian-style buffet restaurant, sold the statue in aid of the Derby Evening Telegraph's Give Us a Break appeal.