Article: published on 19 August 2024

If you're travelling through the Cheshire countryside this summer you might spot a giant Paddington Bear.

The world-famous character can be seen raising a red hat, wearing a blue duffle coat and standing a massive 14m (45ft) tall.

The straw Paddington, created by engineer Mike Harper, took more than 1,500 hours to complete.

Paddington's construction included welding, stuffing with straw, willow weaving, cladding and painting.

It's not the first time exciting artworks have appeared in the Nantwich area of Cheshire.

Previously the location has been home to a giant bee sculpture, Peter Rabbit and a rotating, talking Dalek.

The Paddington sculpture has been made to raise awareness and funds to support children with a rare condition called mucopolysaccharidosis type III, or MPS 3A.

Local ice cream shop Snugburys decided to donate a portion of their ice cream sales to the MPS Society which supports families who have a child with the disorder.

The ice cream company say Paddington is the tallest sculpture they have had made yet.