​A colourful public arts project has ridden the recession to raise £60,000 for charity.

The Lions of Bath scheme - which saw the city centre dotted with life-sized sculptures of the creatures last summer - faced an uphill struggle to emulate the financial success of a similar project involving pigs two years previously.

The King Bladud’s Pigs Project brought in more than £200,000 and lion organisers knew they would never be able to match that figure as the recession squeezed business and household budgets.

All but three of the 100 lion sculptures have now been sold at auction and organisers say the scheme has also helped bring much-needed publicity for the city.

The money will be spent on:

* funding a full-time worker for the Off the Record charity to support its work with young carers

* a £13,500 donation to the Quartet Community Foundation to provide grants for community projects involving young people in the Bath area

* a £3,000 donation to the Mayor of Bath’s Relief Fund

* giving £15,000 to the Born Free Foundation to build a series of lion-proof enclosures in Kenya, which help protect livestock and people

* donating £1,500 to the wildlife charity Tusk.

Co-organiser Sue Yates-Price said: “We are thrilled that Lions of Bath has made an important contribution to local charities. The event has been successful on many levels, from promoting local businesses and artists, increasing footfall to the city through national and international media, to bringing contemporary art to the streets, promoting Bath as an exciting destination and giving thousands of local children and families a free, fun educational activity for the summer months.”

Fellow organiser Megan Witty added: “Apart from fundraising, which is not easy in the current economic climate, Lions of Bath has been a really worthwhile project, bringing businesses, arts and the community together.”

The sculptures have ended up in permanent homes across Bath and as far afield as Texas.

Off the Record director Jocelyne Tagg said: “In a difficult funding climate for charities, it is fantastic that Lions of Bath has raised enough money for the equivalent of a full-time member of staff.  We can now respond to more young carers providing one to one support and short breaks which help them deal with the range of difficult issues they face as well as developing their potential.”

Marketing body Bath Tourism Plus chief executive Robin Bischert said the lions had created a wave of interest on the streets.

“We welcome events and exhibitions that can bring another element to what there is on offer for visitors in Bath.  The Lions of Bath added to the vibrancy in the city last year and proved to be positive in generating interest as we received many visitors at the tourist information centre who wanted to find out more.”

A number of lion artists have either won or been nominated  for major awards as a result of their work, while another, Leroy Harding, was offered a place at City of Bath College on the strength of his design.

Among the three left is Wayne Roarney, a football-themed lion.  To make an offer or for more information visit www.lionsofbath.com.