THE art department at IPACA got a surprise visit from a gorilla.

The life-size sculpture was part of the Great Gorillas Project, which is being run by Paignton Zoo to raise awareness and funds to help the Cross River gorillas of Nigeria.

Thirty artists were chosen to produce their own designs to add to the life-sized gorilla sculptures. Katie Rewse, pictured above with one of the statues, is an artist and teaching assistant at the Royal Manor campus.

She said she was very pleased that her tourist gorilla design was chosen.

The gorillas will appear around Exeter and Torbay, forming a unique art trail from August to October.