PLYMOUTH'S very own sculpture trail, Making Waves will bid farewell to the city in September, but members of the public have the chance to own a piece of it as the sunfish statues will be sold at auction.

Taking place at the National Marine Aquarium on September 18, the auction will be compered by BBC Radio Devon presenter David Fitzgerald, and aims to raise £25,000, which will be used to support marine conservation programmes.

14 of the sunfish statues that have been placed at key sites around the city since March will go under the hammer, while the 15th statue sponsored by the National Marine Aquarium, ‘Beneath the Surface’ will be included in a raffle.

Tickets to attend the Making Waves auction are available now for £25, which includes entry into the Sunfish statues raffle.

Enquiries to attend should be sent to makingwaves@national-aquarium.co.uk.

All funds raised from the Making Waves auction will be used to support marine conservation programmes, including the Ocean Sunfish project being led by the National Marine Aquarium. Sunfish are susceptible to commercial fishing, plastic pollution and global warming; however it is currently unknown to what extent.

he funds will allow the Aquarium to investigate changes to the world’s oceans and the consequential effects this will have on marine life.

The Making Waves trail features a series of sunfish statues, designed by Plymouth City Council Apprentices and tells the story of the city through a network of trails.

Each statue features individual artwork created by the Making Waves Artists, who were selected by the statue sponsors, which include Brittany Ferries, Plymouth University, National Apprenticeship Service and Theatre Royal Plymouth.

Dr. David Gibson, Managing Director at the National Marine Aquarium who spearheaded the Making Waves project, commented: “We’re delighted to be hosting the Making Waves auction at the National Marine Aquarium and offer the public the chance to come along and own a piece of the trail.

"The sunfish statues have been a welcome addition to the city over the last few months – although we’ll be sad to see them go, we’re thrilled the funds raised will be used to support marine conservation projects, including the Aquarium’s very own Ocean Sunfish project.

“We are very grateful to the businesses, designers and teams of apprentices who have helped make this project such a success – and the local residents and visitors to Plymouth who have enjoyed the trail over the last few months.

"We hope the people of Plymouth will get involved in the auction and help us to achieve our continued ambition of driving marine conservation through engagement.”