YOUNGSTERS in East Dunbartonshire have a new guardian – a 14ft high Gruffalo.

The imposing creature, made by acclaimed Scottish sculptor Iain Chalmers, was unveiled yesterday on the banks of the Kilmardinny Loch in Bearsden.

The model, which was carved from a 200-year-old beech, was joined at the loch by four other wood carvings which include an owl and three log benches decorated with foxes, squirrels, fish and ducks.

Picture: Colin Mearns