See Giant LEGO animal sculptures unveiled in new trail

A collection of giant LEGO birds have been unveiled today at WWT Martin Mere. The 10 characters that form part of a LEGO brick animal trail were made from 123,200 LEGO bricks and took over 965 hours to build. This is the first time these amazing sculptures, especially created for WWT, have been seen in the North West among the real life animals which inspired them. A brand new addition to the trail was also unveiled, Kate the Kingfisher, who the CBBC Blue Peter presenter Barney Harwood helped to build. She has been made especially for the Martin Mere trail and is being featured on Blue Peter, along with her other giant brick friends who Barney also helped put out on the trail on CBBC on Thursday, December 3.
Through the giant brick animal trail, the nature reserve in Burscough, Lancashire is using the world’s most popular toy to encourage kids to build a better future for nature.

What animals can you see on the trail?

Visitors to Martin Mere Wetland Centre can enjoy the 10 individually-designed LEGO brick characters revealed for nine weeks over the winter including the Christmas holidays from this Saturday, November 28 to Sunday, January 31.
You will be able to see all sorts of animals including:

• Kate the Kingfisher
• Flavia the Andean flamingo
• Benedict the Bewick’s swan
• Emily the Emperor dragonfly
• Lottie the otter
• Bruce the Red Breasted goose

Lottie the Otter

Nick Brooks, Martin Mere’s general manager said: “Here at Martin Mere Wetland Centre, we take particular pride in helping to conserve the Hawaiian goose (Nene) the world’s rarest goose, which was originally identified as a species that needed protecting by our founder Sir Peter Scott.
“Today, we are using LEGO bricks to inspire the next generation to continue Sir Peter’s work of saving threatened wildlife.”

Mac the Mallard

What else can you do when you visit the trail?

As well as the trail, budding sculptors can take part in creative fun and games at exclusive LEGO brick workshops at weekends and daily through the Christmas holidays, build minifigures and buy limited edition mini LEGO brick animal models, only available at WWT.
All proceeds will support WWT’s essential conservation work in the UK and around the world.
There is no extra cost to meet the giant LEGO brick animals at Martin Mere Wetland Centre, the trail is included in the admission price.

Hannah Clifford from WWT Martin Mere with Kate the Kingfisher

Places for the workshops can be pre-booked online HERE.
To find out more about the Giant LEGO brick animals and other brick activities visit wwt.org.uk/legobrickanimals or follow #LEGOBrickAnimals.

Win a LEGO experience day at WWT Martin Mere

The prize is free entry to Martin Mere for a family of four, a Lego animal kit, free Lego workshop for the children (one hour at the centre doing fun activities plus build your own Lego duckling to take home) plus lunch at the centre.
Five runners up will win family tickets to visit the centre to see the Lego brick animals. The competition closes at 3pm on Friday, December 4. Winners will be informed by email.
The prize must be redeemed anytime on or before January 31, 2016.