Colourful giants sell at auction

GIANT ducks that decorated the streets and shops of Beccles through the summer have raised more than �2,000 for charity at auction.The glass fibre ducks, which were inspired by the success of the Go Elephant trail in Norwich, went under the hammer at Durrants Auction Rooms yesterday.

GIANT ducks that decorated the streets and shops of Beccles through the summer have raised more than �2,000 for charity at auction.

The glass fibre ducks, which were inspired by the success of the Go Elephant trail in Norwich, went under the hammer at Durrants Auction Rooms yesterday.

Of the 20 that were displayed across the Suffolk town after being decorated by local artists, 11 were put up for sale to raise money for good causes.

The �2,255 they fetched at the auction will go to charities chosen by the schools and groups that commissioned individual ducks as part of the giant duck art trail.

Sale room manager at Durrants Miles Lamdin said: “It was fantastic - we were well pleased. The organisers were at the auction and were thrilled at the very good effort by the people of Beccles.”

He said the aptly decorated marsh trail duck commanded the highest bid, eventually selling for �350, while many others raised in excess of �300.

With one buyer scooping four ducks in his net, Mr Lamdin said most of the colourful creations went to families buying them to provide a little fun for youngsters at home.

“Mostly they were bought by individuals,” he said. “We had enormous interest and we had lots of people bidding for them.”

While five of the birds have already been taken away, the rest will soon leave the auction rooms to feather their nests in their new homes.