Children challenged to give T Rex a special name for Easter

The popular T Rex in the middle of Holmes Chapel village has been decorated for Easter.

Children from Hermitage Primary School have designed a big Easter bonnet.

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Pupils made little chickens, eggs, bows and ribbons and attached them to a colourful hat.

A striped papier mache egg sits between his sharp knife-like teeth and a pink basket is perched over his arm.

Miola staff Grace Riddle and Todd Gallimore with, from left, Hermitage Primary School pupil Liberty Orlowski-Hatton who made the basket being cheered by Matilda Northover and Phoebe Wilson from Holmes Chapel Primary School (Image: Miola)

The 10-foot sculpture belongs to family run shop Miola on London Road, which is celebrating its first anniversary.

Owner Louise Metcalfe said: “We thought it would be a bit of fun.

“Adults and kids love our dinosaur so we decided we’d get different schools to dress him up for special occasions.

“He is a heavy beast. It took six of us to lift him up the stairs onto the terrace.

“We have a massive space outside.”

Children are now invited to give T-Rex a special name for Easter.

The best suggestion made by April 7 will win a £5 voucher.

Miola staff Todd Gallimore and Grace Riddle with the dinosaur (Image: Miola)

Louise, who has another lifestyle store and coffee and cocktail lounge in Sandbach, has a collection of giant animal garden sculptures, including a life-sized elephant and giraffe.

“They are handmade out of recycled metal in Kenya and shipped over,” said Louise.

“T Rex is just under £5,000. When I bought it I didn’t think I would be able to sell it. I’m a child myself so I thought I’m having it!

“I bought an elephant for £10,000 and sold it to a Princess in Abu Dhabi.”

Two of her giraffes, were sold to a private hospital beside the Beatles’ famous Penny Lane in Liverpool.

“They have become the most photographed giraffes by tourists,” said Louise.

T-Rex has attracted a lot of interest since he appeared outside the store, which sells unique garden ornaments, gifts, jewellery, ladies clothes, handbags and toiletries.

“Children come in and cuddle his leg and try to feed him,” said Louise.

“When there are delays on the motorway, traffic crawls past us here.

“Drivers are all looking up at our dinosaur. You can’t help but smile when you look at him.

'Everyone loves him' (Image: Miola)

“Lots of people stop and take their pictures with him. Everyone loves him.

“Our big animal sculptures are fun. Who wants to be sensible?”