The story behind new giant statues at Temple Meads

Statues of legendary giants have been unveiled alongside a children's book inviting people to explore the landscapes behind West Country myths.

The Giants of Avon Gorge at Bristol Temple Meads Station, is one of five installations that form a new Great Western Railway Legend Trail and book by author, poet and playwright Sir Michael Morpurgo.

Updated from the first version published more than a century ago, The Line to Legend Land features 11 folklore tales from across the South West and Wales.

Morpurgo said the project was about "connecting people with the past" and their families.

"It's fun and I like the fact these are legends which are to be enjoyed just as books are to be enjoyed," the author said.

"Sure, we learn things from them, but it's also about connections with our past, with our mums, dads, grandparents and then going way, way, way back in time.

"But wherever you go in the West Country there are stories everywhere and some of them have grown out of myths and legends."

Temple Mead's mythical giants, Goram and Vincent, are famous for being involved in a brutal battle to win the hand of Lady Avona.

She told the brothers, she would marry whoever could drain the water which ran between Bradford-on-Avon and Bristol.

Vincent won the challenge by creating the Avon Gorge, while distraught Goram was so distressed about losing, he stamped his foot into a pit - leaving the Giant's Footprint in what is now the Blaise Estate.

Visit West's head of marketing Jon Chamberlain, who was at the unveiling, said he hoped the statues would invite people to "explore the wider city – all inspired by the legends of the Bristol Giants, Goram and Vincent, who are also featured in the book.

GWR has donated copies of Line to Legend Land to 500 primary schools.

The train company's head of external communications, Dan Panes, said by taking the statues out to "some of our most popular destinations, we're aiming to inspire families to venture out on the train and discover the legends for themselves".

"We've been thrilled by the reaction to our new Line to Legend Land book, and our goal was to create a truly immersive world where these myths step out of the stories and onto our stations, bringing the legends to life for everyone who travels with us," he said.

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