A giant Lego steam train has arrived at Liverpool One ready for the festive season.
The Santa Express, which was constructed overnight, is made from over 500,000 individual pieces and has set up home on Paradise Street until the end of December.
It will be the first time the construction has been seen outside London and features special effects including a funnel that blows out real smoke as well as lights and sounds.
The model features a 12ft long train with two working elves, a teddy bear, a carriage of presents and a Christmas tree.
The installation was designed and built by the UK’s only Lego certified professional, Duncan Titmarsh, and it took him and his team 32 days to build.
It will be officially unveiled by Father Christmas and his elves, as well as children from Liverpool-based charity KIND later this evening.
Sara Jones, from the Liverpool One operations team, told JMU Journalism: “We are thrilled with this year’s model. It adds to the many festive sights the city has to offer and we expect it to be a huge hit with the shoppers. It’s amazing how such tiny pieces of plastic can create this masterpiece.”
Last year, Lego brought a giant Christmas sleigh, complete with Santa and reindeers, to School Lane, but Sara said: “It is in a much better spot as opposed to last year. It’s right in the heart of the centre for all to see.”