It was time to bid a fond goodbye at the weekend to the colourful bunch of wallabies that has been bringing a smile to people’s faces at locations all over the island for the last few months.

The farewell event for Hospice Isle of Man’s ’Wallabies Gone Wild’ trail was held at Ballannette Country Park, in Lonan.

It gave visitors a chance to get a close look at all the wallabies which have been a part of it. The trail lasted for 14 weeks, from May until September, and featured 26 large and 38 medium, individually designed and decorated, wallaby sculptures.

Run in partnership with global organisation, Wild in Art, the large wallabies were designed by both local and national artists and sponsored by local businesses, while the small ’Wallababy’ sculptures were designed by local schools and community groups.

As well as raising money the aim of the trail was to improve health and wellbeing in the community by encouraging more people to get out and about and families to spend more together.

On Thursday all of the wallabies will go under the hammer in an auction which takes place at the Villa Marina.

There will be 30 lots in total, including all 26 large wallaby sculptures and four medium ones.

Tickets are available for this event at www.hospice.org.im.