A HAMPSHIRE dental firm has been bitten by the rhino bug that is charging across the county.

Dental insurance firm Denplan is one of the latest businesses to sign up to the stampede that will see life-sized rhinos pop up throughout roads and parks in Southampton this summer.

They quickly got their bid in just before the deadline to get involved passed at the end of March, making sure they got a slice of the action when the Daily Echo-backed Go! Rhinos public art extravaganza goes live in July.

Businesses and schools across the region have all been going rhino crazy in preparation for the big ten-week event that promises to bring thousands to the city and boost the local economy.

The multi-coloured rhinos will appear along a unique trail throughout the city, which kicks off on July 13.

Steve Gates, managing director of Denplan, said: “We are thrilled that Denplan have joined the charge.

“Our sponsors are helping us to create a fun, family friendly event for all to enjoy this summer that will not only delight the people of Southampton, but will attract hundreds of thousands of visitors into the area which will have a terrific effect on our local economy.”

The project asked businesses to pay between £3,500 and £4,000 for a sculpture, which they will now choose to decorate with one of a variety of designs by local artists.

Some of the proceeds from the auction of the sculptures at the end of the ten-week trail through the city will go towards Marwell Wildlife’s work with rhino conservation.

Money will also go towards other conservation projects within the park, as well as the Rose Road Association and Wessex Heartbeat’s HIGH 5 Appeal.