A WORLE business is getting behind a hospital’s latest, colourful fundraising initiative.

County Contractors, of High Street, is sponsoring one of dozens of Gromit statues, which are set to appear across Bristol this summer.

The models of the Oscar-winning animated character will be painted by artists to raise cash for the Wallace and Gromit Grand Appeal for Bristol Children’s Hospital.

County Contractors is backing the campaign and representatives went to Aardman Studios last week to see the chosen artist’s designs.

Each model will be sent out to an artist who will paint them in whatever style they choose.

They will be put on display in a similar way to the Bristol Zoo gorilla trail from last year.

County Contractors business development manager Peter Mercer said: “Sponsoring a Gromit creates a great opportunity for us as a local company to not only support such a fantastic cause, providing vital care to local children but also to promote the City of Bristol and the South West in general through the use of an internationally-renowned but local character.

“We have also taken the decision to make this our chosen charity for 2013 with all fundraising efforts going towards the Grand Appeal.”