A LIFE-SIZE statue of a goat is set to be placed in Wrexham next year as a symbol of the town's links to the Royal Welch Fusiliers.

A £95,000 bronze tribute to a Royal Welch Fusiliers goat and its handler is set to stand proudly in a memorial garden outside the gates of Wrexham's Hightown Barracks.

Salvage Hunters star Nick Elphick, who lives in Llandudno, is the man responsible for creating the statue, which will also feature a goat major modelled on a 15-year-old army cadet.

The Leader: The Offa Community Council project aims to erect a bronze life-size sculpture of a Royal Welch Fusilier with the regimental goat in a flood-lit landscaped setting.

PIC: Wrexham has a long and proud history with the Royal Welch Fusiliers.

The sculpture is being created in memory of the Royal Welch Fusiliers regiment and will be placed at the barracks due to its historic links to the site.

It is scheduled to be unveiled to the public on March 1 2023.

North Wales itself is well-known for being home to the Kashmiri goats used by the Royal Welsh.

The goats have roamed freely around Elphick's home town of Llandudno and have garnered worldwide recongition for their curious nature.

Wrexham's Offa Community Council is hoping to raise £95,000 towards the project. So far, £70,000 has been collected.

Businesses and Wrexham council are working with the army on the scheme.

Read more:

Inspector's pride at standing next to his father for Royal Welch Fusilier service

In June 2019 the 3rd Battalion The Royal Welsh, Wales’ only Army Reserve Infantry Battalion, relocated its anti-tank platoon to Hightown Barracks.

The Keep at the barracks is a Grade II listed building and the hope for the future is that the traditions of such a distinguished regiment will continue on this historic site.

Speaking on Twitter, sculptor Nick Elphick said he was 'so very proud' to be in charge of sculpting the bronze statue.

Over the years, he has been responsible for creating several of North Wales' most inconic statues - including the Sir Henry Morton Stanley memorial which stands near Denbigh library.

To donate to the fundraising cause, click here.