Why dozens of life-size unicorns are inside the former TK Maxx in Bristol

A herd of unicorns are being painted ahead of public art trail this summer - and shoppers can see the artists at work right now. A total of 59 unicorns are being worked on inside the former TK Maxx store in The Galleries ahead of Unicornfest.

The unicorns will go on display at places across the city and wider region, including Cribbs Causeway and Weston-super-Mare, on July 1. As well as providing an arts trail, they will each raise money for Leukaemia Care through sponsorship.

It follows a similar idea from other charities which have used gorillas and statues of the Aardman character Gromit.

And now, at the former TK Maxx, on the top floor of the city centre shopping centre, artists are busy at work painting each unicorn - as shoppers watch on and ask questions. Last week, Sea Mills artist Kim Reed was painting a unicorn for Downend, which is sponsored by Downend and Bromley Heath Parish Council.

The unicorn will feature the red and yellow from cricketer WG Grace’s hat, as well as local buildings such as Christ Church and the Green Dragon pub.

For Kim, the scheme offers an opportunity to showcase her artistic talent, to those watching her at the shopping centre to the thousands who will see the finished work when it appears in Downend for the start of the trail.

The artist, who posts her work on Instagram, said: “It’s the biggest thing I have done and I really appreciate the chase to do it - painting a unicorn is not something you always work on.”

The unicorns will remain on display until the first week of September before a party at Propyard on September 22. On October 5 they will be auctioned off to raise money money for charity.

For more on the event, visit the official website by clicking here.