MORE than 15,000 people have paid for tours inside the world's largest equine sculptures, the Kelpies, since they opened to the public two months ago.

Scotland's newest cultural icons reached the landmark figure on Saturday, exactly two months after public tours at the £5 million sculptures were introduced on April 21.

Falkirk Community Trust, who provide ten tours each day, estimate that more than 150,000 others have visited the site over the past two months just to see the structures.

The 100ft tall horses heads, created by sculptor Andy Scott, form the centrepiece of the £43 million Helix land transformation project between Falkirk and Grangemouth.

Grant MacKenzie, project leader, said: "The figures are 25 per cent up on what we were forecasting for the first couple of months and that is very encouraging for all involved."

"We have been working closely with our tour guide team to ensure everyone visiting the Kelpies experiences the drama and scale of the structures, and understands the relationship they have with the Falkirk and Grangemouth areas as well as the way in which Andy Scott's admiration for the majesty of Scotland's heavy horses has influenced his work."

VisitScotland says the Kelpies have helped attract people from all over the world to Falkirk, including from the USA, Australia and throughout the UK.

The tours cost £4.95.