HAVE you met Headlion yet? If not, now’s your chance to embark on the Pride of Bournemouth trail to meet him and his many friends scattered around the town.

The innovative public arts project offers locals and visitors the chance to follow a map and take a look at 50 lifesize sculptures, all sponsored by local organisations and elaborately decorated by local artists.

The Daily Echo’s very own Headlion is standing proud in the reception area at our Richmond Hill office and all are welcome to take a look at him.

Decorated by artist Miroslav Lucan, he is illustrated with images of our building and has images of a typewriter on his head, reflecting journalism’s past.

He is also adorned with headlines our readers would love to see in the Daily Echo one day.

They include “Bourne stream turns to chocolate”, “Lovely smell greets visitors approaching Bournemouth” and “Brad and Angelina buy Sandbanks home”.

Others are “Hawaii Five O movie to be remade on Boscombe surf reef” and “A31 marks 10 years without a jam”.

Mr Lucan said: “I love architecture and since moving to the Bournemouth area seven years ago the Daily Echo has become one of my favourite buildings.

“Having the chance to work on this project was a great pleasure and honour for me.”

As well as the 50 big lions, smaller versions decorated by local schoolchildren can be seen in the Lion’s Den in Richmond Gardens Shopping Centre and in Beales department store.

Beales is also running a writing competition for children as part of Pride in Bournemouth.

Youngsters are urged to complete a wildlife-themed story, which has been started by children’s author Lauren St John.

The beginning of the story can be downloaded from beales.co.uk/lions