Why giant Easter bunny was created in small town

A man who carved a giant Easter rabbit out of a huge bushy yew tree has explained why he created the leafy sculpture.

The bunny hedge, which is almost as tall as the neighbouring Beehive Pub, has made its appearance on Trowbridge Road in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire, just in time for Easter.

Boasting two long ears, buck teeth and a red bow tie, local residents have taken to social media to say how much it has made them smile.

Topiarist Philip Mudd said: "It's been lying in wait for the last couple of years, but the time wasn't right - whereas now people are looking for a bit of good news and the Easter bunny is here."

But bringing the topiary rabbit to life in time for the holiday has been a challenge.

"The ears have had three incarnations already, trying to find something that wouldn't go flying off in the wind, and so [the ears] are made of fleece," said Mr Mudd.

"Kite material was lethal because it just took off," he added.

Mr Mudd explained the bush had proved quite "adaptable".

"That's the great thing about it," he said.

"It has a head and a body now, so it means that it can become different things at different times of year."

At Christmas, the bush was transformed into a festive big bird, but it is its latest incarnation as an Easter bunny that has caused the biggest reaction locally.

"There were builders in white vans honking their horns as they went past and local people love it," said Mr Mudd.

"I've had someone knock on the door saying it's the only bright spark in the world at the moment, which is really nice to hear."

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