Orange elephant returning to A38 after 'spruce up'

A giant ice cream cone statue next to a large orange elephant statue stood in a barn on a Devon farm
The owners of the orange elephant said they wanted to spruce up the statue [Rob Taverner]

A famous Devon roadside landmark has been given a mini makeover for the first time in several years.

The orange elephant, which is normally positioned in a field next to the A38 near Kennford, was removed from its usual spot at the end of October.

Rob Taverner, co-owner of the nearby Orange Elephant Ice Cream Parlour, said the statue had been removed to be "spruced up" with paint for the first time in about four years.

He said the work followed comments that it looked in a poor state. The elephant is expected to return next to the A38 on Sunday.

An orange elephant statue in a barn while it is midway through being repainted. It has orange and white stripes due to the work to remove the old paint.
The orange elephant has been a feature at the side of the A38 in Devon for many years [Rob Taverner]

The current elephant statue has been next to the A38, near the junctions with the M5 and A30, since 2018.

An orange elephant statue with its paint glistening in the light after being repainted in a barn.
Orange Elephant Ice Cream Parlour co-owner Rob Taverner said the statue would be back in its usual home on Sunday [Rob Taverner]

Mr Taverner said: "Kids really like it in particular as I think they see it as one of those roadside landmarks which lets them know they’re nearly home.

"It has become so well-known and it is a simple icon that has become a part of Devon.”

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