CAR giant Mitsubishi Motors have leapt up to be the first sponsor of the Cirencester Hare Festival 2015.

The motoring firm, which has its head office in Cirencester, is sponsoring the five foot tall decorated hare model which will mark the start of the Hare Festival Way around the River Churn walkway.

The statue will be based at Watermoor Corner, near to Mitsubishi's headquarters and will have a plaque next to it naming it the Mitsubishi Hare.

Mitsubishi Motors UK CEO Lance Bradley was enthusiastic about the festival.

"This is a wonderful community event for Cirencester and as a locally based company I'm delighted that we shall be first in supporting the new Hare Festival Way. This is a great opportunity for Cirencester firms to support community projects," he said.

The hare will be unveiled in early October to mark the official opening of the new trail. It has been decorated by local wildlife artist Cath Hodsman. Her design will reflect the flowers found along a railway bank, as Watermoor once had a busy railway line.

Festival organiser Florence Beetlestone expressed her delight at the first sponsors.

"This is fantastic news - here we have a major local firm working with a major local artist to create a structure which will permanently enhance Cirencester's Tourist attractions."

The Cirencester Hare Festival was first held last year and saw 75 large and small hare models dotted around the town, all uniquely decorated by artists and school children. The event raised around £75,000 for Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, allowing the walkway to be built this year.

All the seven hares along the walkway will be decorated in scenes reflecting the natural environment, such as birds, small mammals, trees and flowers.

They will be permanently in place from Autumn 2015. Sponsors are also sought for the six remaining large hares. Email cirenharefest@gmail.com for more information.