A BRONZE sculpture of a girl reaching for success has been unveiled at Merchant Taylors’ Girls School.

The £10,000 statue by a renowned Liverpool artist was unveiled yesterday to mark the 120th anniversary of the school, and 75 years of the girls’ school.

Commissioned and paid for by the Old Girls Committee, the design embodies the ethos of the school, with girls striving to reach their full potential.

Former “man from the Pru”, insurance salesman turned sculptor, Tony Evans, won the commission by popular vote.

Mr Evans, 63, who grew up in Wavertree and now lives in Frodsham, said: “This is the first piece I have done of a human being as I usually create animals.

“I was given the brief to create something that fitted with girls reaching for success academically, and I thought of them jumping for joy with their exam results.”

Mr Evans is currently working on two 6ft-flying swans and a life size Pegasus for the Capital of Culture celebrations.

Edith Davies, 72, a member of the Old Girls Committee, said: “It’s inspirationally beautiful, it’s brilliant because it looks like she’s moving.”

Mrs Davies was joined by members of the Old Girls Committee and headmistress Louise Robinson at the official unveiling in the grounds.

Headmistress Louise Robinson, said: “I think the girls chose Mr Evans’s work because they can see themselves in the statue.”

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