STAFF and pupils at Katharine Lady Berkeley’s School are trying to raise ransom money to bring a gorilla sculpture home to the school.

The school in Wotton is trying to raise enough cash to buy one of Bristol Zoo’s gorillas, which have been installed all around the area as part of its 175th anniversary.

Telula the gorilla was designed by KLB student Rosa Smith and installed at Cribbs Causeway shopping mall.

Year nine pupil Rosa, from North Nibley, won a competition run by The Mall to design a fashion outfit for the gorilla to wear. Her winning design was inspired by floral 1960s prints.

Interested parties are now being invited to an auction of all 60 gorillas where they will have to pay a minimum of £1,000 in ‘ransom’ money to buy the gorilla.

All the money will be split between Bristol Zoo’s gorilla conservation project and the Bristol Children’s Hospital Wallace and Gromit Appeal.

Robin Warren, deputy head teacher, said: "As the gorilla was designed by one of our pupils we felt it would be nice to give Telula a permanent home at the school as a piece of art.

"We have raised about £500 so far, but we understand bids start at £1,000 and we are hoping individuals and businesses might want to make a donation to the cause."

Mr Warren added: "It is an exciting opportunity for us to recognise one of our own pupil’s work, gain a piece of public art and support two excellent causes."

The auction takes place in Bristol on Thursday, September 29. If you wish to make a contribution drop money into KLB marked ‘Telula Ransom’, cheques to be made payable to KLB School.

Should the school be unsuccessful in their bid all the money will be equally between the two charities and the beginning of a public art fund to be used for materials to create another pieces of artwork for the school.