A NEW family of elephants have taken residence in Bolton town centre, ushered into their new home by town hall workers.

The colourful herd of three has taken pride of place in Newport Street.

They take the place of the tired grey elephant sculptures which stood in the street since the early 1980s.

The new elephants - which have cost £30,000 - will be at the centre of a new "elephant trail" to be set up in the town.

Bolton is intrinsically linked to the elephant, and many representations of the animal can be found in and around the town.

A spokesman for Bolton Council, said: "Celebrations of the arrival of the new herd will start in May with a VIP tour of the elephant trail.

"There are so many elephants around Bolton town centre, on businesses and plaques.

"We are going to use this as a tourist attraction and visitors will be able to follow the trail and see all that Bolton has to offer.

"Leaflets will feature the new elephants and will be available from tourist information centres."

The colourful look of the new elephants is thanks to three artistic youngsters, who won a design competition.

The new sculptures are made out of Jesmonite, a more durable, weatherproof and environmentally friendly material than the material used in the originals.

Over time the original sculptures succumbed to vandalism, being smashed, sprayed with graffiti and slashed with knives.

One was so badly damaged that it had to be removed.

The future of the grey elephants is still undecided.

Individuals and organisations have registered an interest with the council in giving a new home to the old elephants, which were carefully removed by workmen last week.

l Bolton's connection with elephants is surrounded by mystery. But it stretches back at least to 1799 when the symbol was first recorded being used on the official stamp of the clerk to the town's board of trustees.

In 1890 Major Ottley Perry incorporated the elephant into the former Bolton County Borough arms. The addition of the elephant was reportedly to celebrate a connection between Bolton and the ancient Diocese of Mercia, in the old county of Coventry, created by Lancastrian King Henry VI.