A giant pride of lions are currently guarding the Royal Borough - created by some of the world’s leading contemporary artists and designers.

The life-size fibreglass lions have been transformed by artists who flew in from locations around the world including Hong Kong, Paris, New York and Thailand.

They decorated their lions in a wide range of styles ranging from fine art to mosaics, street art and illustrations to colourful abstract designs.

They are celebrating Queen Victoria's birthday 200 years ago and artists involved have included fashion designer Dame Zandra Rhodes, Thai jeweller and member of the Thai Royal Family M.L Rojanatorn Na Songkhla; Burberry and Harrods designer Lisa Stickley and Liberty designer Sally Kelly.

School children from across the Royal Borough were also involved, painting beautiful lion cubs that are part of the sculpture trail.

The lions and cubs are now on display on key sites across the borough.

Sculpture trail maps are available for a donation of £1 from the Visitor Information centres in Windsor, Eton and Maidenhead for people who want to 'follow the lions' until they are taken away on October 27. The sculptures will be subject to a charity fund raising auction on November 21.

Windsor's Thames Hospice in Hatch Lane will be among the four charities to benefit from the auction and the sale of the sculpture trails.

It has all been organised by the events company Lions of Windsor.

Its creative director Lisa Todd said: “The Lions of Windsor team has had the pleasure of working with a fabulous array of high-profile designers and famous names in art and design from around the world. The lions they have created are truly magnificent and the Windsor and Maidenhead Sculpture Trail will become the destination event of the summer for residents, visitors and tourists."