A BUTCHER is set to make a big hoot when he unveils a huge £5,800 reflective owl statue inside Les Topham Garden Centre near Mappleborough Green.

Tony Geraghty of Geraghty’s Butchers, based at the garden centre, purchased a 5.5ft tall owl, which was part of Birmingham’s city-wide art trail the Big Hoot, after making a promise to his four children.

He and his wife Rachel attended a charity auction in aid of the Birmingham Children’s Hospital Star Appeal at Thinktank in Birmingham Science Museum where they placed a winning bid on the figure- which was one of 89 similar art pieces. 

“We got one because we did the trail with the kids and I promised we would get one,” Mr Geraghty said.

“I was very happy with what I paid. They’re large statues five or six foot tall and by local artists.”

The figure, called Wise Owl, decorated entirely as a mirror, was created by artists Georgia Henn and Simon Elman and aims to convey the culture and atmosphere of Birmingham by reflecting its community and architecture.

Mr Geraghty explained that when his son, Billy, now aged two, was younger he was treated at Birmingham Children’s Hospital which is why he felt the appeal was such a worthy cause.

“They did a great job.” he added.

People will be able to view the owl and take selfies from Friday and until Sunday when it flies to a new nest at Mr Geraghty’s  butcher’s shop in Stratford-upon-Avon.

The Big Hoot art trail saw 89 owls dotted around Birmingham for 10 weeks.

An auction raised more than half a million towards the appeal which aims to create the UK's first children’s rare diseases centre.