A rhino has rumbled its way back to Chester - after a seven-year stay in Liverpool. 

'Tino' was part of Chester’s famous Rhino Mania public art event in 2010, which featured a trail of 62 decorated sculptures on display in the city and surrounding areas – some more far flung than others.

Tino was stationed 25 miles away at Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) but due to recent redevelopment works there he needed to be moved – and LJLA bosses felt it was only right he came back to the city which was home to the rhino craze. 

After talks with Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWaC), it was decided Tino should go on display at Lache Community Centre.

He was moved with assistance from construction and civil engineering contractor Cambrianway Limited, who have worked for the airport on various construction contracts, and has now been unveiled at the community centre.

Robin Tudor, head of PR for LJLA, said: "The rhino sculpture has been very much part of the airport for the past seven years but recent developments meant it could no longer remain in place and we thought it would be nice to see if we could find a more permanent home for it closer to Chester.

"We were naturally delighted to hear that the community in Lache were keen to have their own Rhino Mania sculpture and that we were able to help out and donate this to them for the local community to enjoy.”

Councillor Louise Gittins, CWaC cabinet member for Communities and Wellbeing, added: “Thanks to Liverpool Airport for donating the rhino. He has gone to a good new home and can now be enjoyed by everyone in Lache. Rhino Mania was enjoyed by thousands of people so to have one of the rhinos back in Chester is great news and I’m sure he’ll attract a lot of interest.”

Lache Primary and St Clare’s Catholic Primary School have organised a competition for pupils to suggest a new name for Tino, who was originally the work of Cheshire artist Mike Kilkelly and depicts a tiger’s coat on a rhino’s body.