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Giant giraffe set to join eccentric statue collection - including the Queen and gorillas - at Tony Cook's Lenham home

A gorilla stands guard just yards from the Queen at a gated property in Lenham.

Cupid hovers behind, perched on a chimney overseeing Maidstone Road with his bow in hand.

At the end of the drive, Queen Elizabeth is resting, overseen by a soldier, Mr Bean, a rugby league player and a pig.

A gorilla greets you at the gate of Tony Cook's home in Lenham
A gorilla greets you at the gate of Tony Cook's home in Lenham

To their right, a cow and a second gorilla nest among the bushes, with a giraffe the height of a house scheduled to join them in a week or two.

The larger than life statues have gradually accumulated at the detached house over the past eight years.

During that time, it has been one of the first things seen by countless unsuspecting visitors to the village, and smiling schoolchildren, with several online forums posting pictures and commenting on the oddities.

And that is exactly the point.

Owner Tony Cook, a 52-year-old entrepreneur, has spent several thousands on his collection to add a little cheer to the world.

No week is exactly the same as the display is regularly altered.

Cupid stands guard over Tony's chimney in Lenham
Cupid stands guard over Tony's chimney in Lenham

Despite his wife thinking it odd, Mr Cook has no plans to stop.

“I do a lot of travelling around the country and if I see something I like, I’ll get it,” the restaurant and caravan park owner said.

“I’ve had no complaints from neighbours and people seem to like it which is nice.”

Cupid is the oldest statue in the garden.

Mr Cook first spotted the figure in a tower block opposite a building he was demolishing in London.

A short time later, he saw it in a secondhand shop and brought it there and then.

Tony Cook's home sees Mr Bean putting his arm around the Queen
Tony Cook's home sees Mr Bean putting his arm around the Queen

It was the birth of his daughter, Thomazina, eight years ago that ignited the collecting.

Shortly afterwards, he saw a statue of Queen Elizabeth at a garden centre and brought it because it reminded him of his “little Queen”.

Since then, Her Majesty has accompanied him in his family caravan to annual trips to Royal Ascot, with passers-by paying to pose with her.

Subsequently, random additions have been bought simply for comedic affect.

And in December, a giant Father Christmas will take residence on the roof, surrounded by festive lights.

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