LOCAL legend Rylan Clark auctions off his rhinestone elephant today in aid of the Asian Elephant Foundation.

The Celebrity Big Brother winner from Stanford-le-Hope decorated one of Intu’s 35 white elephants models with rhinestones ahead of Elephant Parade national tour taking the “herd” around the country to raise awareness of the conservation charity.

Rylan’s appearance with ‘Sparkey’ the elephant at the Intu Lakeside today kicks off the 75-day online auction for the herd, which will see the funds raised presented to the Asian Elephant Foundation following the end of the auction at midnight on July 26.

As the latest addition to the herd, Sparkey joined the last leg of a 12-month tour across the country alongside designs by Claudia Schiffer, Union J, Alex Jones, Pete Fowler and Mercy Delta.

The former X Factor finalist said: “I am well excited to be taking part in such a great cause.

“I’ve always loved elephants and it was so much fun designing my very own statue.

“I can’t wait to see it when it arrives at intu Lakeside, I’m sure it will stand out from the herd!

“I’ve been telling everyone to go and create their own design, the more people we get involved the brighter the future of these beautiful beasts.” Intu commercial director Trevor Pereira added: “This UK tour has been dubbed ‘the people’s parade’ in response to the scale of public engagement with the elephants as they have toured our centres around the country.

“So far more than 8,000 members of the public have got involved in the artistic side of the project and 75 schools have created additional elephants that have joined the touring herd.

“With Rylan’s arrival at Intu Lakeside, attention now turns to raising some funds to support the future of the Asian elephant and our centres and customers will join to help ensure the Asian elephant has a bright future.”

For more information visit www.intuelephantparade.co.uk/elephants