Damien Hirst's pregnant Verity statue arrives in Ilfracombe

Damien Hirst's pregnant bronze statue Verity will be erected on the pier at Ilfracombe

A 65ft (20m) statue of a pregnant woman wielding a sword has arrived in its new home of Ilfracombe in north Devon.

The statue, called Verity, has been given to Ilfracombe by artist Damien Hirst on a 20-year loan.

It arrived in two pieces on the back of a lorry in the early hours and will take seven to 10 days to assemble and install.

The bronze-clad "modern allegory of truth and justice" will be erected on the pier.

Verity's frame was fabricated in a single piece of stainless steel and the bronze parts were cast in more than 40 pieces, which were then reassembled around the frame.

The sword and upper arm of the statue is made from a single piece of glass fibre reinforced polymer.

Wind tunnel testing has been carried out to ensure Verity will be able to withstand high winds and sea spray.