LIFE-size steel models of wild animals will form part of Dudley Zoo's new entrance which will be completed this September.

Zoo director Derek Grove said the artistic approach will make a striking impression as visitors enter the award-winning attraction.

A total of five galvanised steel sculptures, created by artist Tim Roper from Bridgnorth, will lead people into the zoo from the improved car park, which is now nearing completion.

The sculptures include a 15ft giraffe, an orangutan, a tiger, a sea lion and a crocodile.

Derek said: “The giraffe sculpture will be positioned at the base of a new ramp and will direct visitors from the new-look car park to our Safari Shop entrance.

“The other sculptures will then lead people from the shop out into the zoo itself.

“The new approach will make an excellent first impression as people enter the zoo and will better reflect our professional organisation.”

The bulk of the work to resurface and landscape the car park is due to be finished by the end of July and the handcrafted sculptures will be installed in September.

Renovation work on the car park includes the addition of safe access paths and a new tourist trail route to link the zoo to the Black Country Living Museum and Dudley Canal Trust.

The car park and sculpture project is being funded jointly by the zoo, Dudley Council, the European Regional Development Fund and a Local Enterprise Partnership.