A CAT who became a local celebrity has been immortalised with a bronze statue which has been unveiled by his Prestonpans owner.
Rupert of Bankton was followed by thousands on his Facebook page as he roamed the town and infamously got hit with a council ban from local shops.
The beloved pet died after a road accident in the town last summer, prompting a memorial fund which saw more than £3,000 raised.
READ MORE: Tributes paid as celebrity cat Rupert of Bankton dies
Last December, Rupert’s owner Lisa Cleeton arranged for a memorial statue to be created by artist Svetlana Kondakova, who is responsible for a number of well-known artworks in East Lothian, including the Musselburgh Archer.
Svetlana, a graduate of Edinburgh College of Art, got to work at the end of last year, beginning with a wire outline of the cat before creating his full body, head and face in clay. Fine details – such as whiskers, eyes and fur – were marked in the clay before the statue was delivered to Beltane Studios to be cast in bronze.
The process began with a wire outline of the cat
The next stage was a clay model of Rupert
Finally, the cat statue was cast at Beltane Studios
Svetlana said: “The statue of the great Rupert of Bankton, a well-known and much-loved cat in his local community who sadly died last year, was a real honour to create.
“A huge thank you to Lisa Cleeton.”
Lisa added: “It was great seeing it, he’s so life-like.
“I’m just waiting on a plaque coming from Borders Casting and we’ll hopefully get him up in a special place back with his public soon.”
Facebook messages praised Lisa and Svetlana for the “beautiful” tribute to the cat.
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